Magic is EASILY better than LeBron in the open court? I'm sure Magic was a much better passer, making him more versatile and/or more fun to watch, but no way was he better than James, much less, easily better. Versatility doesn't necessarily equal "better". It's like comparing Hakeem and Shaq's offensive games. Dream was obviously much more versatile, but Shaq was better from the floor. He didn't need moves. Freethrows IMO give Olajuwon the overall nod offensively, but Shaq was EASILY better FG-wise. LeBron gets the ball, then, "freight-trains".
Yeah, we were discussing passing. I was referring to open court passing. Overall, Showtime was easily the best open court/fastbreaking team ever. That said, defenses now are much more designed to stop fastbreaking vs the pre-90s.
Note the big difference between the right wing at 32% and the left wing at 51%, I'm going to guess that's due to Curry being right-handed and preferring to come around picket-fence picks to curl from the left side, so he turns into his right-handed shot. We do see him run to that side a lot for a catch n shoot. The right side seems to be when he's has the ball vs catch and shoot. Still wouldn't have guessed there would be such a discrepancy. Curious to see if Pops uses a defense based on the %s -- one to keep Curry from taking picks, catching and turning into his right-handed shot. But when you overplay that, Curry will go to the corner 3 instead.
wonder how much influence for him was Monta Ellis, when Curry came to the league it was golden years of Monta and he has freedom shot as he wants. And then they trade Monta from GSW. At the time there was discussion that Curry & Monte to small and too much liability on D.
It's funny because I read that GSW offered Curry first, but Milwaukee insisted on Monta. https://twitter.com/warygoelfel/status/589527821455794176
What is with just 36% on that corner 3? Maybe it is mostly catch and shoot? He likes a dribble pull up more I guess? Bigger question is if he can keep scoring 30+ on his career. Will defences adjust in the off season? Over the course of this season? Phenomenal so far! Up almost 10 on his previous years efforts.... My guess is that he cools off slightly for a month or so - he is up 5% on his career shooting numbers.
Ron Artest or Bruce Bowen in their defensive prime would have smashed Curry to a pulp.. there are basically no 'tough' defenders left anymore, that's why this weakling looks like a dominant player, when in reality all he does is take advantage of illegal screens set by his teammates and soft league rules wrt foul. If Steve Nash was playing now, he would average 25+ points easily.
Everyone always thinks the olden days were better. Someday, you guys will do the same thing to fans 20 years from now.
