What NBA Players and Analysts Said About Steph Curry Before/After the Draft! (Golden State Warriors)

You can’t always trust what NBA analysts predict before or after the NBA draft. Stephen A. Smith said Deandre Ayton will be a better player than Luka Doncic before the 2019 draft. If you have no idea about that take, watch my previous video on Stephen A. Smith’s predictions on these European players.

Prior to the 2009 draft, Stephen Curry’s name was picking up steam because of the year he did in Davidson College. Everyone wanted to see Steph Curry because of how he shot the ball and how he would go on a tear shooting from deep.

Because Steph was still a rookie and not many NBA teams wanted a 6’3” skinny guard to be their franchise cornerstone.

To get a better understanding of the absurd claims by NBA analysts, I made this video on What these analysts said about Steph Curry before and after the draft. In this video, we will go in-depth on why they said that and what was their statement after Steph proved them wrong.

Let’s set-up the story first by going back to 2009 when Stephen Curry was working out with teams prior to the NBA draft.

This first one is not an analyst, but LeBron James. One day he decided to text Steph saying, He did show up and had only praises for Steph.

On a first-half play, when the shot clock was winding down. Steph hit a long three-pointer and pointed to Lebron.

After the game, Steph appreciated his reactions and said, “it was cool to watch someone like him cheering for our team.”

Fast forward a few years, and LeBron had a courtside view of how good Steph was after they played in 4 straight finals where Curry’s Warriors won 3 titles.

Now, this next one I didn’t get the name of the analyst, but he asked Monta Ellis (former Warriors star) on media day

I know the analyst only wanted a story, but it made the situation awkward because Ellis didn’t agree with how the Warriors were going about as a franchise. He knew that his future with the team was in jeopardy. It took some time for Ellis to warm up to Steph - his wife asked him to apologize - and eventually they played the season together.

The following season Ellis was traded (I guess his hunch was right all along) to the Milwaukee Bucks for Andrew Bogut, Steven Jackson, and a first-round draft pick. Can you imagine if the Warriors stayed with Ellis and Steph Curry? They wouldn’t have had the chance of getting that pick which turned out to be Klay Thompson.

Kenny Smith had this to say about Steph before the draft.

Now Steph has 1 more championship than him, two MVPs, and is considered to be the greatest shooter of all-time. That is why we should never judge someone by his looks alone.

Before the boom of Twitter, this next analyst was already sharing his thoughts on the platform. He’s considered to be the number 1 hater of LeBron James, Skip Bayless. But this series of tweets weren’t a diss on Steph Curry, rather, a praise on him.

“LOVE Steph Curry."

“If I’m the Warriors I do NOT trade Steph Curry. Thanks to the Thunder, Kings, and Timberfools, a steal for Don Nelson’s system.”

Yes, you read that right TIMBERFOOLS.

Skip Bayless was still with ESPN at this time debating with Stephen A. Smith.

Doug Gottlieb was still working with ESPN in 2009 when he tweeted out this:

Now Doug made a 360-degree turn on the Dan Patrick Show after the Warriors won back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018.

“That's a big boy range though, right there where you hit it. That’s past the NBA three by a good 5 to 7 feet right?” Asked by Dan Patrick.

“It's great though when people tell me, it takes a while to load up and then you process, wait this is Stephen Curry on transition or off a cross-over ready to shoot anytime. It’s just ridiculous what he has done. He’s a transcended player.

He changed the way we view shooting, what’s a good shot, what’s a bad shot. Steph has changed basketball in terms of how we view jump shooting, range.

Obviously, I was wrong on all those takes. I thought he was going to be a great role-player, coming off the bench as a sixth man, just to be a good player, not a great player. We now show up to Warriors games to watch him warm-up to watch him work out.

Players now want to do what Steph is doing in terms of ball-handling, passing. He has made an average kid dream of playing in the NBA.”

What are your thoughts on these analysts’ comments about Steph Curry back then? Do you think Curry will go down as one of the best to have ever played? Tell us what you think in the comments down below.

If you haven’t watched my other video where I discuss what NBA players are actually saying about Steph Curry, be sure to check that out! I’m sure you’ll like that one!

Related Videos:

What NBA Players Are ACTUALLY Saying About Steph Curry! (Golden State Warriors)

What NBA Legends Think Of Stephen Curry

#stephcurry #stephencurry #steph #curry #goldenstatewarriors #goldenstate #warriors #nba #espn

[benjietero]

The only small player today that gets doubled or tripled most of the time

[onski]

If they are going to introduce a 4-point line in the NBA, it is going to be called a "Steph Curry" line.

[raulvelez]

He is the only player in NBA that force opponent teams to guard him 40 feet from the basket. FEAR or RESPECT they have to do it.

[TheYabaWaba]

To me it's crazy how Lebron acknowledged Steph's greatness from the start. Game recognizes game.

[ljcool]

Steph changed the NBA landscape. Before his explosion began, the game was leaning towards either big players, tall athletic wings, or athletic PGs. Steph defied all that. And so, players started adjusting to copy his style. But no even comes close to volume and efficiency that he has.

[weirdheriawan]

Analytic: Curry's Shoot Selection is questionable
Curry: Then I need to make that non questionable anymore...

[dewardwardx]

SC is the most doubled or trippled team among guards of all time in NBA history

[bopdawg]

The man still can’t get no respect! He’s being shut out of top players conversations because he makes analysts look and sound stupid. No matter how many times he proves everyone wrong he can’t get no respect.

[hokieray]

I think Steph (and the Warriors) transcended the way the rest of the NBA worked during the off season. Everyone is working harder on shooting and conditioning. The NBA used to be unbearable to watch for the first 6-8 weeks until players got in shape, bricks being thrown at the rim. He made the whole league better.

[Dyybtj]

stephen curry has had a bigger impact on the game of basketball then lebron. Steph showed the value of the three and how a team lead by a jump shooting can win against anyone. He changed the way the game is played not just against him but he showed a whole new path to win championship's. Lebron showed that once in a generation athleticism and a legendary work ethic will win you championships.

[uropy]

Steph reminded everyone the No.1 basics of basketball - scoring and 3s.

[shortsightedfarseer]

One metric I’ve always thought was good for determining if a player is great is “can you tell the story of their sport without mentioning them?”. Steph has changed basketball forever. Already top 10 all time in my book.

[whoyacallinpinhead]

This is why we need analysts who have been in the game. A lot of football analysts have been coaches and/or players. Why don’t they hold the same standard for basketball and other sports? Tired of seeing Stephen A Smith and Max debate over a player when it’s clear they have no clue what they’re taking about.

[robertmiller]

My favorite player hands down. When he shoots a three and hits it its like watching a guy do a tomahawk or spectacular dunk. Has the same impact

[nivlemhero]

He got the talent and invested much on training, developing and improving himself every year. Until he decided to become the best three point shooter, an MVP, an All-Star and a Champ. His journey from being underestimated to NBA icon tells what hardwork can do.

[randomrulesallgaming]

Little did LeBron know Curry would win 3 chips over him lol

[joshuanash]

Imagine getting a text from LeBron saying, “Hey good luck tonight. I’m gonna try to make it to your game.” I don’t care what your opinions are on him you would freak out.

[moredollars]

he made a 360 degree turn? .. that would mean he turned around to the same exact place 😂

[Painx]

Steph is like an anime Shonen protagonist.The guy everyone expects to amount to nothing but then end up proving everyone wrong

[EbonySeraphim]

Curry is already a top 10 to ever play the game for me - that's starting from the mid 90s. What is very much missed about Curry that other (aspiring) shooters don't seem to realize is his handles are top tier in the league. He's still a step behind Kyrie Irving, but even if Steph is less flashy the way he persists and maintains his dribble to keep moving around and between defenders to eventually find a clearing is incomparable. Oh, and that he can shoot off his own dribble. Not coincidentally, this is also why Kevin Durant is also so transcendent. Yes, Kevin Durant is long and just rises up and shoots over defenders quickly enough, but KD also maintains a amazing handle for his length and is not stuck in a bad spot to take a shot. He gets to where he wants to and makes the attempt from there. Where Steph Curry has a super quick release that doesn't give you time to contest, KD just rises above a contest.

There are other snipers in the league who when left open may be comparable to Steph in accuracy in catch-and-shoot, but none of those guys have handles. Not one is close. You see any of them dribbling the ball through too much traffic at the perimeter, and you know they're going to lose it because that's where you can risk reaching knowing there is likely help if you get blown by. Steph is one guy you know is keeping the ball, and is just as capable of blowing by and finishing at the rim.