With his impressive clutch shot, Stephen Curry led Team USA to a win over France at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. He made eight three-pointers in the matchup, including four in the last three minutes, elevating the team. It was a surreal moment for the player. Curry has not only impressed the fans but also revolutionized the game. As he achieved yet another historic feat in the NBA, a former NBA player teasingly blamed the Warriors star for a massive impact in the league.

As the Golden State Warriors squared off against the Sacramento Kings, all eyes were on Stephen Curry, who was on the brink of yet another historic milestone. A day before turning 37, the four-time NBA champion etched his name in history once again, becoming the first player to drain 4,000 three-pointers in league history. Curry’s historic milestone is a testament to how much he’s transformed the game. That’s exactly what former NBA player Gordon Hayward pointed out when asked about Curry’s impact, humorously pinning the league’s three-point revolution on the Warriors’ star. 

“Yeah, well, it’s Steph’s fault. The reason why people are taking so many threes!” Hayward remarked, laughing. Well, Hayward isn’t wrong about his claims. Curry’s tenure with the Warriors popularized three-pointers, now a staple across all teams. The reigning champions, the Boston Celtics, thrived on their three-point shooting.

He added, “I think it’s hands down the best shooter of all time and it’s not even close he’s so fun to watch and when I was playing it was fun to watch his highlights and watch his games where he gets in these modes and he seems like he could throw it in from anywhere and it’ll go in and I guess the the longevity that he’s still doing it at his age and with the way that teams guard him too he still figures out ways to be effective and to do his thing and so it’s unreal to watch greatest shooter of all time.”

The surge in three-point attempts has led some to believe it’s contributing to declining NBA viewership. Insane, right? But what does Curry think about it? Following the Warriors’ 130-104 win over the Kings, Curry reflected on his historic 3-point record.

Stephen Curry defends three-pointers

The three-pointers have clearly evolved the game for the better, making it more complex with unpredictable offenses. Is it interesting, and does Curry enjoy this change? During his interview with Malika Andrews, he made himself quite clear. 

“I love it personally because if you think about just the sheer numbers of it, but how you create threes and the beauty in the game—like, everybody does it just a little bit differently. It’s new, and a lot of people have a little different viewpoint on it. But for me, it is cool to have seen the evolution of it,” Curry said.

Shaquille O’Neal didn’t mind who started it but believes the league now prioritizes three-pointers too much. Many share his opinion. When asked about the changes to the All-Star game format that happened in February this year, James had some choice words.

“It’s not just about the All-Star Game. It’s about our game in general,” James stated. “Too many damn threes are being launched.”

Whether you love or hate the NBA’s three-point explosion, there’s no denying who’s responsible for it. Stephen Curry has reshaped basketball in a way few players ever have. And as he continues to hit milestones, the debate over his impact will only grow.