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The NBA has been a premier establishment for basketball for 77 years now. The league has possessed the greatest talents of the game over the years, cementing its position as the most prestigious league for the sport. However, its tenured run has seen several changes to the style of play that has progressively made it more competitive. One such remarkable change came when the Golden State Warriors guard, Stephen Curry entered the league. The NBA has been redefined by several players over time, leading to paradigm changes in the style of play.

Be it through the Showtime Lakers‘ transition play or Michael Jordan‘s mid-range mastery, the game has reinvented itself to become the most entertaining and competitive version of itself. However, nothing matches what the 2-time MVP, Stephen Curry did to the sport. The advent of his style of play led the transition to the new era of basketball. Now, a former All-Star talked about how players of the previous eras fare in this era of the game.

An All-Star uses Stephen Curry’s revolution to discuss the new basketball era

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Stephen Curry has made a glorious career for himself in the NBA. His leadership led the Warriors to a dynasty status, winning 4 championships in 8 years. However, his greatest contribution to the game of basketball was the advent of the three-point era.

Players in the NBA have now adopted the three-point shot as the primary option of scoring. While the previous eras relied heavily on mid-range shots and post presence, the modern NBA has become a three-point obsessed league, thanks to Curry. Former All-Star, Gilbert Arenas discussed this very aspect while discussing the older generation’s credibility in this era.

“Some guys are just outdated. Like this is just not their game anymore. This is a new game, right, speaking new terms,” said the former Washington Wizards guard, talking about the significant changes in the game of basketball.

He added, “You got these guys saying, ‘Oh, this is a horrible shot.’ Yeah, back then. Back then when… Now its 40 threes so someone gotta take ’em.”

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Arenas dismissed the credibility of the older generation competing in the new era. However, how much did the game change since the advent of the three-point offense?

The game has seen an unprecedented shift

When the NBA began life in 1946, the three-point line was non-existent. Legends like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, all competed in eras where the three-point option did not even exist. However, since its introduction in 1979-80, it has taken the NBA by storm.

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Over the years, several players adopted an offensive game centered around the three-point line. The players made the shot beyond the arc their primary role in the roster. However, until the early 2010s, the offensive game focused solely on mid-range jumpers and post-play. Generations of basketball players followed this very strategy until Stephen Curry entered the league.

USA Today via Reuters

Stephen Curry’s unparalleled success in three-point shooting not only earned him glorious accolades but also played a role in defining an entire generation of basketball. Curry’s brilliance beyond the arc prompted the entire league to adopt the strategy of maximizing scoring by shooting three-pointers. This became a revolutionary strategy in the NBA, changing basketball completely.

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With Chef Curry’s mastery beyond the arc, the game has experienced an unprecedented shift. This shift, however, may be difficult for the previous generations to keep up with, considering their mid-range centered style of play.