Jordan vs Curry

bowlgoal

Heisman
Jul 20, 2004
12,179
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I never thought I would see a player that made an impact on the game as much as Michael Jordan and I'm still not sure you can really compare the two but after watching Curry last night, I'm beginning to think that he may be as close to taking over games as Jordan. The kid does not miss and does it all. Granted, he can't post up like Jordan and dunk like Jordan but he can take over a game the same way. Hearing Marv Albert call the game and say Currys name play after play as if he is as mystified at his greatness in the same way as every fan watching has made me a believer. He's young and has years and years to produce championships but something tells me that when he's done, we will be talking about him as one of the all time greatest players,
 

Jtg=04131996

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Also while he does look very young he's actually 28, older than other western conference stars like Durant (27), Westbrook (27), Harden (26), Cousins (25), Lillard (25), Leonard (24), Davis (23), and Towns (20). Obviously Curry still has a good amount of years of greatness left in him, but not as many as you'd think because based off looks you'd think he's maybe 22 lol.
 

miketd1

Heisman
Sep 26, 2006
59,714
13,916
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The game is completely different.

This a perimeter oriented, transition-centric NBA.

Jordan was optimized for the half-court, every-possession-is-precious, defensive grind-outs of the 90s & early 00s.

Curry is optimized for the run & gun, 3pt barrage, just-score-more-than-them game of today.
 

PatrickRU92

Heisman
Aug 1, 2001
42,138
16,749
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Curry is not the all-around player that Jordan was, mostly due to his diminutive (in NBA standards) size. He physically can't play D or rebound like MJ.

But he is the best shooter I have ever seen on any level, hands down.
 
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Jtg=04131996

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But he is the best shooter I have ever seen on any level, hands down.

Funny part is Curry (statistically) isn't even the best shooter on his own team. Curry had an all-time great season yet Thompson averaged more three's per game and shot 45% from 3 to Curry's 40.7%.
 
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Caliknight

Hall of Famer
Sep 21, 2001
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Curry can do one thing better than Jordan. Shoot 3's. Great skill no doubt, but Jordan does everything else better, including rebounding, defense, and yes, scoring. Most of all, winning.

Think about this. Jordan's average in the playoffs was 33 points in a league that was way more defensive and allowed hand checking. Incredible.
 

PatrickRU92

Heisman
Aug 1, 2001
42,138
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Funny part is Curry (statistically) isn't even the best shooter on his own team. Curry had an all-time great season yet Thompson averaged more three's per game and shot 45% from 3 to Curry's 40.7%.

A case of statistics be damned, and Thompson is awesome in his right, but Curry's ability to get the shot off when he looks like he is not square to the hoop , plus his ability to shoot over much taller defenders, plus his ability to shoot relatively accurately from insanely long distances gives Curry the nod in my book.
 
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scarletrat

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Aug 28, 2003
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but Jordan was also a function of the Jordan rules, where he and those Bulls teams got every favorable whistle...so when he missed, he was at the line.
it's a different game now, but to simply characterize Curry as a great shooter is underselling him as an all around player and his impact...
but I could argue Jordan's titles emerged after the runs by the Lakers/Celtics/Pistons...when his team won 72 it was an expansion year...
Curry's game impact, is growing, to a stature like Kobe, and maybe like Jordan soon...

OKC played so above their collective heads and defended the best I've seen against Warriors--contesting everything at the 3 line, because they had the athletes and length to do it...

Now come the Cavs, and they are not as good as OKC--this isn't the Eastern Conference...I'm GSW is licking its chops with Kyrie and Love on D...
 
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zebnatto

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May 7, 2008
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I think most folks will bash the comparison but I think it's intriguing. Jordan did what he did better than anyone else--arguable but not by too many. But the way the Warriors play with Thompson and Curry is like nothing I've ever seen. Thompson but relative to Curry (important) he's a spot-up shooter. Curry's ability to go immediately from a complex dribble to just hedge the defender a split second to a clean three is uncanny, make that other worldly. Curry wins in the "most unique" category.
 

ColonelRutgers

All-American
Dec 15, 2003
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I think most folks will bash the comparison but I think it's intriguing. Jordan did what he did better than anyone else--arguable but not by too many. But the way the Warriors play with Thompson and Curry is like nothing I've ever seen. Thompson but relative to Curry (important) he's a spot-up shooter. Curry's ability to go immediately from a complex dribble to just hedge the defender a split second to a clean three is uncanny, make that other worldly. Curry wins in the "most unique" category.
Ever heard of Pete Maravich?
 

ScarletRunner

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Aug 17, 2001
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You're comparing a guy who will never be more than an average defender to a 9-time NBA All-Defensive first teamer. No doubt Curry's scoring ability is brilliant and among the best ever, but it would have to be an order of magnitude better than Jordan's to make up for the delta on defense IMO.
 
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Rutgers25

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Jul 29, 2001
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Funny part is Curry (statistically) isn't even the best shooter on his own team. Curry had an all-time great season yet Thompson averaged more three's per game and shot 45% from 3 to Curry's 40.7%.

Where are you getting these numbers? Curry shot 45% and Klay 43% from 3. To say Curry is just a shooter is waaaay under selling him. Steve Kerr is just a shooter...same for Steph's dad. Curry's Handle and court vision is excellent.
 

RUChoppin

Heisman
Dec 1, 2006
19,270
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Funny part is Curry (statistically) isn't even the best shooter on his own team. Curry had an all-time great season yet Thompson averaged more three's per game and shot 45% from 3 to Curry's 40.7%.

Not sure what statistics you're looking at.

Curry shot 402/886 from three over 79 games (5.1/11.2), for 45.4%
Thompson shot 276/650 from three over 80 games (3.5/8.1), for 42.5%

Edit: That's not taking anything away from Thompson, who is also incredible.

All-time most 3-pointers in a season:
1. 402 - Steph Curry 2015-16
2. 286 - Steph Curry 2014-15
3. 276 - Klay Thompson 2015-16
4. 272 - Steph Curry 2012-13
5. 269 - Ray Allen 2005-06
 
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higgins3

All-Conference
Dec 15, 2012
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Steph curry might actually have the chance to be a decent coach one day, Jordan..

Oh,Michael Jordan??Too easy!
 

soundcrib

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Curry is not the all-around player that Jordan was, mostly due to his diminutive (in NBA standards) size. He physically can't play D or rebound like MJ.

But he is the best shooter I have ever seen on any level, hands down.
Curry's ability to get to the rim is underrated. He has a great layup percentage too.
 

RUChoppin

Heisman
Dec 1, 2006
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It's pretty incredible to think that of the Top 11 most 3-point seasons of all time, Curry/Thompson own 6 of them... and of the Top 23, they own 7. To think that two of the most prolific 3-point shooters of all time are playing on the same team, at the same time, is crazy.
 

RUAEPI

Sophomore
Dec 6, 2005
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As a major fan of the GSW, I have had this conversation 1000 times. I actually went back a few days ago and watched some videos of Jordan with my son to show him how great Jordan was.

A friend of mine said it best the other day. We should be having the conversation if Steph WILL END UP a top 10 player of all time.
 

PhilaPhans

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Apr 23, 2005
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Curry would go 3 for 20 if he went up against a fresh Jordan one on one. Curry's the best shooter in NBA history, but he has zero ability to get away from Jordan. And even less of a chance he can defend Jordan.
 
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TDIrish27

All-Conference
Aug 2, 2001
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If you're a fan of stats the big one today is guys who get Double Doubles.

Oscar Robertson averaged a Double Double for a season on several occasions if memory serves.

Next to Jordan the best I ever saw------and Lebron is right there.
 

RUChoppin

Heisman
Dec 1, 2006
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Steph Curry has been an elite player in the current NBA environment. Some of the greats of the past would have a harder time in the modern game, given rule changes that have happened over the last 10-20 years that have allowed for changes in the style of play (and an increased scoring role for the point guard position), and Curry would have a harder time in the game of the 90s (and earlier).

As for going 1x1 with Jordan, which year's rules are we using? If we were using 2016 rules, Jordan would have a hard time not fouling given the way defense was allowed to be played in the 1990s vs. today. The change in focus to call fouls for hand, forearm, and body checking would take some getting used to for some of the exceptional "on the ball" defenders of prior eras and would reduce their effectiveness on defense overall.
 

TDIrish27

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Oscar wouldn't have been one of them.

Steph Curry could never cover him.

Not a chance.

Jordan would be a better matchup defensively.
 

RUChoppin

Heisman
Dec 1, 2006
19,270
13,695
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If you dropped a lock-down defender from a prior era onto a 2016 roster, one of two things would happen. 1) they'd be plagued with foul trouble and spend more time on the bench than the court, 2) they'd abandon most of what made them good defenders and need to learn a new style of defense from scratch (which they'd do with varying levels of success).

On the flip side, if you dropped a sharp-shooting, ball-handling guard from a prior era onto a 2016 roster (Maravich, as was mentioned, for instance), they'd have a field day offensively.

Looking at the all-time single season 3-pt FG made list, there are only 5 seasons in the Top 20 that came before 2004-05, just 15 of the Top 51, and just 35 of the Top 102. In fact, 33 of the Top 100 came within the last 3 seasons. The rule changes have really opened up perimeter play, and let ball handlers move much more freely.
 
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TDIrish27

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It was a 10 team league in Robertson's day-----not some watered down over expanded league like you see now.

All time leader in triple doubles-----no one even close----not Magic----not Wilt---nobody .

181 Triple Doubles without having the benefit of the 3 ball.

In 1962 he AVERAGED a triple double.

6'5 220lbs------ would take Curry into the paint and overpower him.

With the exception of perhaps Jordan the greatest player to ever play in the NBA.
 

RUChoppin

Heisman
Dec 1, 2006
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Really can't compare anyone from Robertson's day to later eras, either.

Here's a great write up by Lenny Wilkens, one of Robertson's contemporaries and fellow Hall of Famer about the differences in the game between the 1960s and 2002: http://www.nba.com/canada/unguarded_010702.html

If Robertson (and Wilkens, and other players of that era) had the benefit of all the nutrition, training, etc. that the current players do, that's one thing. If you just plucked them out of their time and dropped them on the court in 2016, that's another.

Also, keep in mind this was written in 2002, before a lot of the rules were changed to open things up for point guards, so the game is even more different today than it was then.
 

TDIrish27

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With most players I agree-----not Oscar Robertson.

With a 3 ball and limited hand checking he would be the best player in the game.

He had size , quickness , shooting touch and remarkable vision----a once in a lifetime player.
 

RUChoppin

Heisman
Dec 1, 2006
19,270
13,695
0
With most players I agree-----not Oscar Robertson.

With a 3 ball and limited hand checking he would be the best player in the game.

He had size , quickness , shooting touch and remarkable vision----a once in a lifetime player.

Yes, certain players Robertson, Maravich, etc... would really benefit offensively from the 2016 rules and style of play, if they were to appear from a time machine. They'd have to adjust defensively - and some of the further back era players might need some time to improve their overall conditioning - but the current environment favors ball handling and outside shooting much more than ever before.
 

TDIrish27

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Toss in Elgin Baylor , Jerry West and Bob Petit as guys who would be superstars in any era.
 

dvb91

Senior
Feb 5, 2003
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Curry can do one thing better than Jordan. Shoot 3's. Great skill no doubt, but Jordan does everything else better, including rebounding, defense, and yes, scoring. Most of all, winning.

Think about this. Jordan's average in the playoffs was 33 points in a league that was way more defensive and allowed hand checking. Incredible.

Think about that, plus the Bad Boys (who I loved) taking names, and I'd worry for players like Curry in that era. The different eras really make it hard to judge, but I'd think Jordan would be licking his lips with the current state of defense.

I'll give a lot of props to Curry, though. Hard to stop & definitely makes his team go.
 

bowlgoal

Heisman
Jul 20, 2004
12,179
11,369
93
Stockton and Mallone had to be the best high low tandem I saw. Never saw Robertson so I can't comment on him. Jordan was the best all around individual player I think? Curry is damn good.

Drazen petrovic as a set shooter was tough to match. His life ended or I think we might still be talking about him. Rip Draz.
 

Caliknight

Hall of Famer
Sep 21, 2001
196,408
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Think about that, plus the Bad Boys (who I loved) taking names, and I'd worry for players like Curry in that era. The different eras really make it hard to judge, but I'd think Jordan would be licking his lips with the current state of defense.

I'll give a lot of props to Curry, though. Hard to stop & definitely makes his team go.

Curry would get hurt trying to get to the rim in the 90s.
 

[email protected]

All-American
Jun 24, 2001
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I never thought I would see a player that made an impact on the game as much as Michael Jordan and I'm still not sure you can really compare the two but after watching Curry last night, I'm beginning to think that he may be as close to taking over games as Jordan. The kid does not miss and does it all. Granted, he can't post up like Jordan and dunk like Jordan but he can take over a game the same way. Hearing Marv Albert call the game and say Currys name play after play as if he is as mystified at his greatness in the same way as every fan watching has made me a believer. He's young and has years and years to produce championships but something tells me that when he's done, we will be talking about him as one of the all time greatest players,


I'm sitting here waiting for a meeting reading this on my iPhone.

I thought this was about curry versus Eddie Jordan

Mo
 
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Caliknight

Hall of Famer
Sep 21, 2001
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Curry scored 11 points last night and his team still won. He is a good player on a great team.