[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

After last night’s post game press conference, there has been a lot of talk about Stephen Curry’s defense and his ability to defend other point guards (not saying this is a new topic, but there’s been a lot of talk about it since the post game). Here is a link to the article:

http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2016/story/_/id/15758698/2016-nba-playoffs-stephen-curry-target-another-apparent-russell-westbrook-slight

Here is a video link to the post game interview:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MLLE_sgm3BA

What are your thoughts on the post game interview? What are your thoughts on Curry as a defender?

I’ve also seen countless arguments that Curry isn’t a great all-around player, he’s only a shooter and that he doesn’t impact the game when he isn’t making shots.

I’ve been quite surprised to hear/read so much hate lately towards Curry. Is it legit or just based on jealousy? What’s the deal?

[DukeDaSquadParticipant]

 Hes a good defender, just doesn’t always defend his position for multiple reasons. The stats show that BeastBrook is shooting 8-25 when guarded by curry this series. Thats slightly under 33 percent. But Westbrook is so relentless, that its so hard to have curry guard him all game, and still expect him to make his regular MVP contribution on the offensive end. He will be too worn out. Basketball is a team game anyways, so stopping either Westbrook or Durant will be a team effort and not just up to one man to do. OKC does the same thing with Westbrook and Roberson on Curry.

Curry is a great all around player and I don’t think that the narratives about curry’s game being thrown around in the media right now is unwarranted. This is the first healthy team that the Warriors have played against in the last two years in the playoffs and they are struggling, so people are questioning whether or not this team and Curry are really as legit as they have appeared in the last two seasons. The only problem I have with Curry’s game is that hes very turn over prone

 

[DukeDaSquadParticipant]

 Hes a good defender, just doesn’t always defend his position for multiple reasons. The stats show that BeastBrook is shooting 8-25 when guarded by curry this series. Thats slightly under 33 percent. But Westbrook is so relentless, that its so hard to have curry guard him all game, and still expect him to make his regular MVP contribution on the offensive end. He will be too worn out. Basketball is a team game anyways, so stopping either Westbrook or Durant will be a team effort and not just up to one man to do. OKC does the same thing with Westbrook and Roberson on Curry.

Curry is a great all around player and I don’t think that the narratives about curry’s game being thrown around in the media right now is unwarranted. This is the first healthy team that the Warriors have played against in the last two years in the playoffs and they are struggling, so people are questioning whether or not this team and Curry are really as legit as they have appeared in the last two seasons. The only problem I have with Curry’s game is that hes very turn over prone

 

[B EazyParticipant]

 The hate is based on his cockiness and overall disrespect to the rest of the players in the league. Fans see that and players especially see it I’m sure. His "defense" is a result of the total team schemes that are in place that make each player excel. Heck, we’re talking about Harrison Barnes being a max-contract player? Really??

[B EazyParticipant]

 The hate is based on his cockiness and overall disrespect to the rest of the players in the league. Fans see that and players especially see it I’m sure. His "defense" is a result of the total team schemes that are in place that make each player excel. Heck, we’re talking about Harrison Barnes being a max-contract player? Really??

[doubledribblerParticipant]

I was on board with Curry while he was at Davidson. At the time I saw him as an aggressive version of Steve Nash. So I get that the talent is real, I’m just not sure I am sold on him being as good as other people have. A lot of fans have discounted and undersold the players around him for some reason. That’s becoming harder for people to do when you consider he’s flanked by 2 All NBA players. He makes them better, but they also make him better. I guarantee that team still makes the playoffs without him. I would say they would be no worse than 3rd in the West, BUT they are not contending without him.

He’s a great shooter, but when his shot isn’t falling he doesn’t seem to always bring it in other areas. The complaints are fair. He gets a lot of moving picks by Bogut and Green (fan complaint), you cannot touch him without getting a foul called (retired NBA players), and he typically gets stashed on some offensive no factor so he doesn’t expend much energy on defense (current NBA players). He’s one of the few star players that never has to guard an all star. It’s not his fault. The league has some elite talent, but it’s watered down after you get past the top guys. For the most part Curry is just hanging out on defense like Harden, BUT he does give effort and keeps his hands active.

I don’t have a problem with trash talk in general, but at times it’s much. He’s pretty quiet when they are losing, but like last night he goes off and starts flexing and talking again once it appears they have the game wrapped up. Some of his dislike is on him and I think he’s getting some kickback, no pun intended from Green. By the way, did anyone see where he kicked Westbrook in the face last night?

 

 

[doubledribblerParticipant]

I was on board with Curry while he was at Davidson. At the time I saw him as an aggressive version of Steve Nash. So I get that the talent is real, I’m just not sure I am sold on him being as good as other people have. A lot of fans have discounted and undersold the players around him for some reason. That’s becoming harder for people to do when you consider he’s flanked by 2 All NBA players. He makes them better, but they also make him better. I guarantee that team still makes the playoffs without him. I would say they would be no worse than 3rd in the West, BUT they are not contending without him.

He’s a great shooter, but when his shot isn’t falling he doesn’t seem to always bring it in other areas. The complaints are fair. He gets a lot of moving picks by Bogut and Green (fan complaint), you cannot touch him without getting a foul called (retired NBA players), and he typically gets stashed on some offensive no factor so he doesn’t expend much energy on defense (current NBA players). He’s one of the few star players that never has to guard an all star. It’s not his fault. The league has some elite talent, but it’s watered down after you get past the top guys. For the most part Curry is just hanging out on defense like Harden, BUT he does give effort and keeps his hands active.

I don’t have a problem with trash talk in general, but at times it’s much. He’s pretty quiet when they are losing, but like last night he goes off and starts flexing and talking again once it appears they have the game wrapped up. Some of his dislike is on him and I think he’s getting some kickback, no pun intended from Green. By the way, did anyone see where he kicked Westbrook in the face last night?

 

 

[SubZeroParticipant]

I think he’s a better than poor defender, but the 8-25 is a bit deceiving. More often than not when Curry’s guarding Russ, Russ is going at the hole and meeting Bogut or Green who cause him to miss. I wouldn’t say it’s Curry’s defense that’s the reason Russ has shot poorly against him unless you say Steph purposely leads him to the big guys in the paint

[SubZeroParticipant]

I think he’s a better than poor defender, but the 8-25 is a bit deceiving. More often than not when Curry’s guarding Russ, Russ is going at the hole and meeting Bogut or Green who cause him to miss. I wouldn’t say it’s Curry’s defense that’s the reason Russ has shot poorly against him unless you say Steph purposely leads him to the big guys in the paint

[DukeDaSquadParticipant]

Forcing the offensive player towards the help defense is always a part of the team plan…

[SubZeroParticipant]

I wouldn’t call letting him run down the middle of the court forcing him to the help defense. If Westbrook made the right reads, we’d get an open shot everytime

[SubZeroParticipant]

I wouldn’t call letting him run down the middle of the court forcing him to the help defense. If Westbrook made the right reads, we’d get an open shot everytime

[DukeDaSquadParticipant]

Forcing the offensive player towards the help defense is always a part of the team plan…

[kobyzParticipant]

 He is a great defender, great technique using his feet, smart with his hands and reading his opponent… Curry defense remind me Sam Cassell defense and might better…

[kobyzParticipant]

 He is a great defender, great technique using his feet, smart with his hands and reading his opponent… Curry defense remind me Sam Cassell defense and might better…

[SFGiantsParticipant]

 No point guard can guard Russell Westbrook.  Why would anyone think Curry would be any different?

[SFGiantsParticipant]

 No point guard can guard Russell Westbrook.  Why would anyone think Curry would be any different?

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 I’ve never heard any notion that being critical of Curry could be based on jealousy. 

I’ve probably gone overboard at times saying if he’s not making shots, he’s not impacting the game. 

I’m quite certain I’ve said that before. And I’ll backpedal on that a tad because even if he isn’t making shots, he threatens a defense with his shot and he’s a better slasher than he gets credit for. sometimes, though its understandable, he falls a little too in love with that stepback three-pointer rather than force the issue. 

I still don’t think Curry is a good defender and I don’t care how many steals a guy comes up with, I don’t see him as a good defender. There are worse defenders sure, but he’s not among the best defensive PGs in the game. 

 

 

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 I’ve never heard any notion that being critical of Curry could be based on jealousy. 

I’ve probably gone overboard at times saying if he’s not making shots, he’s not impacting the game. 

I’m quite certain I’ve said that before. And I’ll backpedal on that a tad because even if he isn’t making shots, he threatens a defense with his shot and he’s a better slasher than he gets credit for. sometimes, though its understandable, he falls a little too in love with that stepback three-pointer rather than force the issue. 

I still don’t think Curry is a good defender and I don’t care how many steals a guy comes up with, I don’t see him as a good defender. There are worse defenders sure, but he’s not among the best defensive PGs in the game. 

 

 

 

 

 

[NZBennyParticipant]

 Curry is a solid defender, but I think what Durant was referring to was the fact that he isn’t an athletic marvel. Westbrook clearly is, and you can see in games that Westbrook can beat him off the dribble whenever he wants if guarded one-on-one. Therefore, the Thunder like the matchup.

 However, to call Curry a bad defender is just naive, and shows the bias that people have against unathletic people on D. For example, I would say he is similar defensively to Westbrook. Russ can guard anyone and stick in front of people when he locks in, but he gambles and daydreams too much to do it consistently. Meanwhile, Steph (probably because he doesnt have the same margin for error as Westbrook) has become a very consistent defender who gets good position and stays locked in better. Westbrook is capable of better defense, but Steph makes his opponent earn it more.

 

[NZBennyParticipant]

 Curry is a solid defender, but I think what Durant was referring to was the fact that he isn’t an athletic marvel. Westbrook clearly is, and you can see in games that Westbrook can beat him off the dribble whenever he wants if guarded one-on-one. Therefore, the Thunder like the matchup.

 However, to call Curry a bad defender is just naive, and shows the bias that people have against unathletic people on D. For example, I would say he is similar defensively to Westbrook. Russ can guard anyone and stick in front of people when he locks in, but he gambles and daydreams too much to do it consistently. Meanwhile, Steph (probably because he doesnt have the same margin for error as Westbrook) has become a very consistent defender who gets good position and stays locked in better. Westbrook is capable of better defense, but Steph makes his opponent earn it more.

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 "the bias that people have against unathletic people on D"

That’s silly. Plenty of unathletic guys have been good defenders in the NBA and there are more than plenty of uber-athletic guys who can’t guard a lick. Has very little to do with athleticism. Curry just isn’t that good defensively. He’s not that quick, he’s not that strong, he usually guards the opposing team’s worst perimeter scorer. 

Of the point guards left in the playoffs, I’d say Steph, at best is behind Westy, Lowry, Joseph and Dellavadova. There are a lot of PGs that are better defenders than he is. That’s not "hating" or being "jealous", thats analyzing his game on the defensive end. He’s a superior scorer and an elite NBA player, but he’s not a great defensive presence. 

My goodness why do people have to get so defensive over that?

 

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 "the bias that people have against unathletic people on D"

That’s silly. Plenty of unathletic guys have been good defenders in the NBA and there are more than plenty of uber-athletic guys who can’t guard a lick. Has very little to do with athleticism. Curry just isn’t that good defensively. He’s not that quick, he’s not that strong, he usually guards the opposing team’s worst perimeter scorer. 

Of the point guards left in the playoffs, I’d say Steph, at best is behind Westy, Lowry, Joseph and Dellavadova. There are a lot of PGs that are better defenders than he is. That’s not "hating" or being "jealous", thats analyzing his game on the defensive end. He’s a superior scorer and an elite NBA player, but he’s not a great defensive presence. 

My goodness why do people have to get so defensive over that?

 

 

 

 

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

Put some respeck on John Wall’s name

 

[SubZeroParticipant]

He said PGs left in the playoffs, but I’m always good with talking about John Wall so thank you for mentioning him lol

[SubZeroParticipant]

He said PGs left in the playoffs, but I’m always good with talking about John Wall so thank you for mentioning him lol

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

Put some respeck on John Wall’s name

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 No disrespecT to John Wall dawg no worries. 

 

  

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 No disrespecT to John Wall dawg no worries. 

 

  

[kobyzParticipant]

 LOL people underrating or disrespect steph defense, people here stupid… Shutting down westbrook most of the series… Steph is amazing defender, can read exactly what his man gonna do everytime thanks to his best all time level of basketball iq, great hands and feel for the game that he is using perfectly… Not afraid from any challenge… Even rebound great for a pg!!! You just can’t ask more from a player on defense while being that vocal point of an offense… 

[kobyzParticipant]

 LOL people underrating or disrespect steph defense, people here stupid… Shutting down westbrook most of the series… Steph is amazing defender, can read exactly what his man gonna do everytime thanks to his best all time level of basketball iq, great hands and feel for the game that he is using perfectly… Not afraid from any challenge… Even rebound great for a pg!!! You just can’t ask more from a player on defense while being that vocal point of an offense… 

[Author]

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