The Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets are locking horns in a game that, on paper, should’ve been electric. After all, we’ve got Stephen Curry on one end and rising talents like Jabari Smith Jr. on the other. But sometimes, what unfolds on the hardwood doesn’t match the hype — especially when both teams are shooting like the rim’s got a lid on it.

By the time the second quarter rolled around, the Warriors were dragging their feet at a bleak 30% from the field. The Rockets weren’t much better. And just as Jabari Smith finally bottomed his second three, NBC’s broadcast booth couldn’t hold back their disbelief — or their sarcasm.

That’s when the subtle jabs started flying. But not at the players on the floor. No, the unexpected target? The NCAA Tournament. “All teams at 34% shooting,” one of the broadcasters noted, barely holding back a chuckle. “I feel like I’m watching an NCAA Tournament game.”

The jab didn’t stop there. As the cameras followed a sloppy possession — “Behind the pass to Adams, lost the handle there” — another voice chimed in, roasting March Madness for its well-known shooting droughts. “March Madness heavy delays has been catching strays all month. Nobody can shoot.”

So, if you’re wondering how college hoops stack up against the NBA when it comes to shooting from deep — the numbers are pretty telling. In the NBA this season (2024-25), teams are absolutely living beyond the arc. League-wide, they’re knocking down threes at around 40.7%, and squads like the Celtics are taking over half their shots from deep. Wild, right?

Now, over in the NCAA, the long ball is definitely getting more love too. More teams are letting it fly, and a solid chunk — 68 teams, to be exact — are hitting at 36% or better from three as of February. That’s actually a bump from 61 teams the year before.

Bottom line? While college players are stepping up their range, the NBA’s still got the edge when it comes to efficiency. Chalk it up to better spacing, stronger shooters, and, well… a whole lot more practice.

Speaking of shooters, that brings us to the guy who redefined the deep ball: Stephen Curry.

Shaquille O’Neal picks Stephen Curry over LeBron James

LeBron James and Stephen Curry are both wrapping up two of the most iconic runs the NBA’s ever seen. Four rings each, global fanbases, and a lasting mark on the game. But when it comes to the all-time rankings, most folks still put LeBron ahead—right up there with MJ. His longevity, versatility, and sheer dominance make that case pretty easy.

But Shaquille O’Neal? He’s looking at it from a different angle.

On The Big Podcast, Shaq didn’t deny LeBron’s greatness—but he gave the edge in influence to Steph.

“Actually, I’m going to go with Steph Curry is more influential, because if you look at all basketball, it’s being played like Golden State Warriors now.”

And honestly, he’s got a point.

LeBron does things that feel superhuman—stuff you and I could never pull off. But Curry? He gave every fan this wild hope that with enough reps, maybe that deep three is possible. You see it everywhere—kids launching from the logo, rec league guys pretending they’ve got Curry’s range. That’s the kind of ripple effect not even LeBron creates.

Sure, rings and MVPs matter. But cultural impact? That’s a whole other category. MJ had it. Iverson had it. And now, Curry owns a piece of that legacy too. He didn’t just win—he rewired how basketball is played and watched.

LeBron may be the GOAT, but Curry? He made the game feel personal.