Stephen Curry’s otherworldly shooting abilities have transformed the game of basketball to the point fans around the world prefer a logo 3-pointer to a thunderous breakaway dunk. However, despite the revolutionary impact, Gilbert Arenas deemed it appropriate to declare the two-time MVP as a mere ‘great basketball player’ and not a ‘generational talent.’ Stephen A. Smith, when made aware of this take, called out the former Washington Wizard for failing to recognize the true potential of Steph Curry.
Arenas doesn’t think Steph is a ‘generation talent’
Speaking on his podcast, Agent Zero stated that only when a player possesses a once-in-a-lifetime-like physical traits can they be considered as ‘generational talents,’ mentioning the examples of LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal.
Arenas emphasized that while superstars such as Steph and Nikola have had significant influences on the modern-day game, their game can be mimicked by one or more of the following generation.
“Wemby is a generational person that is a generational talent. Generational means you can’t mimic it. Can you mimic Magic Johnson… 6’7″ – 6’9″ point guard with the vision? No. You can’t mimic Shaquille O’Neal’s body. You can’t mimic LeBron James… physical traits are generational,” Arenas said. “Jokic is not a generational talent, he’s just a great basketball player. Curry is a great basketball player. Generational is something that’s once every 20 (years) when it comes, you’re like, ‘Damn!'”
As astounding as it may appear to any basketball fan to observe Arenas neglect how Steph has worked tirelessly to change the game single-handedly, despite being an undersized guard with evident voids in his game, and guided Golden State to four championships primarily on his lights-out 3-point shooting s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s, Smith felt compelled to criticize Arenas for failing to hand Steph his deserved flowers.
“I think he lost his damn mind on this one. When have you seen a shooter like Steph Curry in our lifetime? I’ve been on earth for 56 years…. when have you seen somebody like Curry? Off the dribble, standing still 20-30-40-50 feet… floaters from 30 feet. Left side-right side, top of the key, right-wing left-wing, and ability to create his own shot,” Smith said on his podcast. “Steph Curry is the greatest shooter God has ever created…. What we talkin’ about Gilbert Arenas?”
While Stephen A. can be a bit over the top with most of his takes, he has raised a valid point here. Whether it’s Curry or the Joker, they may not have the chiseled body like Magic or Shaq O’Neal or natural strength like Gary Payton or Wilt Chamberlain, but they can create a match-winning impact in more ways than one.
Both Curry and Jokic have proven that one doesn’t need to be the biggest or strongest guy on the court to be the best in the most competitive basketball league in the world. Instead these two are living proof that s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 and versatility can supersede pure physical dominance.
