The old timers are delusional. Hand checking isn't going to stop Curry. But, a hard double team can stop him (which was very difficult to do back then do the rules). So let me ask you what's more detrimental to a one on one player? Hand checking, or defensive rules that allow teams to zone up on that one guy? And why does everyone think the 80s defense was better than it is now? It wasn't. Yes they allowed more hard fouls, but that's not defense. Those are fouls. Fact is defensive schemes back then was less sophisticated then they are now despite the "toughness" label thrown around back then. I'm tried of the mentality that everything back in the day was better than it is now. Despite no evidence to back up the fact.
Another factor that could contribute to Curry's possible longevity is that he is not a high fly act that exposes himself to injury. He does not have to out-physical defenders for the ball or run through a gauntlet in the post. Similar players of his ilk that lasted long were Chris Mullin or Andre Miller for that matter. As long as he takes care of his body throughout his career, Curry would be around for another ten seasons at least.
I don't think it was any better either, just rougher. Nowadays, the defense have to move their feet, be more disciplined and react better. You can't zone a player of Curry's shooting caliber. For him, it would be like highway robbery without a gun.
JVG was on Dan Patrick the other day and basically said the same thing. JVG was addressing Oscar Robertson's comments and said that Oscar was just flat out wrong about Curry. The 70s did not have the sophisticated / complex defensive schemes that you see today so Curry would still flourish. He continued to say that you just can't undermine what Curry is doing and that Curry would be great in any era. Dan Patrick also asked him if he would take LeBron or Curry. He said that although he had always taken LeBron over anybody else in the past (I'm assuming he means recent past because of Kobe's injuries), now, you just have to take Curry.
I would take Curry over anyone else. I would probably take Anthony Davis if he could stay healthy. He's an incredible defender, versatile, has guard skills, improved shooter, good handles for a big, can switch on just about anyone, incredible length and athleticism, solid post game and footwork, can face up, drive, decent passer. What he did with that garbage Pelicans team last season was amazing. Just has had a hard time staying on the court.
100% agreed ... Off ball defense used to be very bad ... Team D and way more better individual defenders in the 2000es and now) . Make a list of superior individual defenders Kobe (or Lebron) faced during his career... It will be way longer than MJ one
Was it traveling? Absolutely. Was it 9 steps, absolutely not. I can't stand when I see this now on Shaqtin a Fool. The player gets two steps and then you can start counting. Every time they show stuff like this they start counting when the player gets the ball. Ridiculous....
It's accurate. The first two steps are legal, but everything after that isn't. So he takes 9 steps, but 7 of those count towards his travelling violation. Every person in the NBA does it now though. Traveling is the least called violation in the NBA. I wish I could get away with this in my local gym, it'd be awesome.
I wish stuff like this was on shaqtin a fool all the time. The NBA needs to clean this up. It's getting way beyond absurd at this point.
I agree that we need to clean it up. My point isn't to not clean it but lets be accurate when counting the steps
AI is a Steph Curry fan. http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2016...urry-michael-jordan-something-weve-never-seen