Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry sent shockwaves through the basketball community by suggesting that the current era is the “most skilled” in NBA history. However, Curry is not alone in his bold take.
“You want to leave the league in a better place than when you found it, and I think just the way that you see the skill level right now, the way that the range is kind of taking over and guys shooting threes all over the court,” Curry told “The TODAY Show” on September 10.
“From one through five and all the way down the roster, I think this is the most skilled era of basketball in history.”
Curry added, “And so whether that was young kids in the game now seeing my generation, the way that I play, and getting inspired by that for me is important and something I don’t take for granted.”
“And then also being able to extend your prime, like I’m going into year 17 and really have this belief that I can be at the top of my game again and win at the highest level. I’m just trying to squeeze the most out of it.”
Others Share Curry’s View
Some of Curry’s legendary NBA peers, such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant, have shared similar views about the modern NBA.
Durant, who won two championships with Curry as part of the Warriors, echoed his former teammate’s sentiments during the 2024-25 season.
“I think we’re at the peak of basketball, in my opinion,” the 15-time All-Star told The Athletic.
“I feel like the game is always going to evolve into something different. There’s going to be players that change the mindset of how to win a basketball game. Now, you see, I think the bigs are starting to come back around, where the most dominant bigs are the guys that you want to run an offense through and play off of. I just think the game is always evolving, and if you complain about it too much then you’re not going to see the beauty of what’s going on.
“Obviously, nothing’s perfect, and there’s going to be complaints from different sides, with people wanting to see it in different ways. But for the most part, you’re seeing the growth. You’re seeing the players get better. You see it through, what, the last six champions have been different. There’s going to be complaints across the board, but I think the game’s in a good place.”
Shaq, Barkley Disagree
Meanwhile, James said on the “Pat McAfee Show” podcast that Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo would average 250 points per game if he played in the 1970s.
You’re trying to tell me Giannis wouldn’t be able to play an NBA game in the ’70s?” James asked rhetorically, via ESPN.
Giannis Antetokounmpo would have 250 points in a game in the ’70s — 250. That’s no disrespect, but seriously.”
Former NBA MVPs Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley vehemently disagree with their younger peers. On several occasions, both legends have trashed the modern NBA product, calling it “weak” and lacking in substance.
“People say Charles and I, we ruin the game talking about the product because the product is [explective],” Shaq said on his podcast, via Awful Announcing.
“Show me greatness. Like, y’all pay a lot of money for these shoes, and what for — I want to see [expletive] be great. And I’m always going to stay on them and motivate them to be great. They can call it ‘hate’ all they want, but I ain’t sucking these [expletive] off just because they making $400 million. A lot of these [expletive] can’t play — and they know it — in any [expletive] era. They can’t play; [I’m] just saying.”
NBA Legends Agree With Warriors Star Steph Curry’s Bold Take