Steph Curry is arguably the greatest shooter of all-time. The ease with which he converts three-pointers make you wonder if it is comes easier than a layup. He’s automatic from the free throw line shooting above a 90% clip for his career. He’s also had a 50-40-90 season, a true mark of shooting efficiency superiority that only eight players have achieved in the history of the NBA. However, some commentators and analysts have said things like, “We’ve never seen a player like Steph Curry in the NBA.” Yes we have. Only once before have we seen a player like him with almost the exact same skill set. This player did not take as many shots as Steph Curry because he distributed the ball more. He had four 50-40-90 seasons to Steph Curry’s one. He also had two consecutive MVP’s just like Steph. I’m talking, of course, about Steve Nash.
Before you hop on Twitter to voice all of your disagreements, I fully acknowledge that Steph Curry is a better player than Steve Nash. He’s a better defender than Nash and knows when to take over a game by calling his own number rather than dishing off to his teammates. For his career, Nash averaged 14.3 points, 8.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 2.9 turnovers a game. Through his first ten seasons, Curry has compiled averages of 23.5 points, 6.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 3.1 turnovers a game. Curry clearly has superior raw numbers, but Nash actually has a higher career offensive rating (118.2 vs 117.8). However, if Nash shot more, his numbers would not be that far off. Nash could’ve easily had 20 points and 5 assists a game, but maybe those Suns teams go 50-32 instead of 62-20.
Nash’s shooting splits for his career are 49% from the field, 42.8% from distance, and 90.4% from the charity stripe. Curry comes in with averages of 47.6%, 43.5%, and 90.6%. Steph also holds a superior efficient field goal percentage over Nash (58.1% vs. 55.6%). While Steph is the better player, he is definitely not the only one of his kind. Both players have the same skill set but they played to their strongest skills. Steph clearly shoots more and dishes less because he’s lethal from deep and the primary offensive option. Nash is a superior passer (five assist titles) and the Suns were built around the pick and roll much like the Utah Jazz of the 90’s. People clear out for Steph to cook his man and pull up for a jumper or they set a screen for Steph to free him from his defender so he gets the little space he needs to drain a shot. Screens were set for Nash so he could exploit whatever mismatch that Amar’e Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, or Joe Johnson drew as they rolled to the basket.
Steph will be in the Hall just like Nash and this by no means is an article about how Steph isn’t that good because he is a unique and overwhelming talent, but so was Steve Nash.
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