At first, the title of the best three-pointer shooter in the history of the NBA was ambiguous. There have been plenty of debates on this topic ever since, but just recently, Stephen Curry rightfully took the throne by surpassing Ray Allen in the record for all-time threes. And it was case closed.
While the Warriors superstar has already embedded his name next to the greats and nobody doubts it, how great would it be to truly understand what playing with and against Steph is like? Well, Matt Barnes has given a detailed insight into it.
Matt Barnes on realizing the ceiling for Stephen Curry
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Matt Barnes is one of the few people who have had the opportunity to witness Steph as a teammate, as well as an opponent. But before they became a part of the Golden State Warriors together, Barnes had quite a few run-ins with Steph and Co. on the court. In fact, in 2014, the Matt Barnes’ LA Clippers faced the Dubs in the first round of the Western Conference as well.
Although the Warriors lost, they dragged the series to a game 7 and gave the veteran-filled team a run for their money. Barnes revealed on Draymond Green‘s podcast, whether it was as an opponent or as a teammate that he realized Steph was different. “First it was as an opponent. Once I became a teammate, I was like. ‘It makes sense. This m*ther f*ck*r works his a** off,” he started off.
Barnes added “But it was as an opponent when I played for the Clippers because you guys were kind of like our mini little rival at the time. But just to see some of the shots he took. And no matter what our defensive approach was, he would find a way to make something happen.”
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And then they became teammates…
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Although, as an opponent, Barnes had already accepted the force that Curry was. But when they became teammates in 2016, he saw up close on how hard he, and the entire Warriors team worked.
He further explained how impressed he was when he saw the entire roster putting working on perfecting their craft. It was at that moment; he realized the impact Steph had on the game, and the people around him as well.
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There is no doubt that the 33-year-old point guard revolutionized basketball. But the way that he continues to outdo himself every time he steps on the court, is what makes him a legend as well.
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