The debate over the greatest basketball player of all time, often referred to as the “GOAT” has lasted decades. Legends like Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant have long dominated the conversation. But in recent years, Stephen Curry has forced his way into the discussion with an offensive style of playing. The debate is no longer whether Curry is an all-time great, it’s whether he has a reason to be considered the best to ever play.

Stephen Curry is a successful basketball player that has not only impacted but changed the face of the NBA bringing his incredible athleticism and shooting. One of Curry’s strongest arguments is his 3-point shooting ability. Before Curry, three-point shooting was important, but not central to most offenses. With his deep range, quick release, and unmatched accuracy, Curry transformed basketball strategy at every level. Many young athletes try to mirror his style by prioritizing spacing and perimeter shooting. This type of influence has reshaped how the sport is played, something very few athletes have accomplished.

Curry also has many individual achievements to support his dominance in the NBA. Steph Curry’s most famous record occurred on December 14, 2021, during a game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Here, Curry sank his 2,974th career three-pointer to break the previous record of 2,973 by Ray Allen. This gave him the title of most three-pointers made in one’s NBA career. Steph Curry has also managed to lead his team to the best regular-season record in NBA history which is 73 wins and 9 loses. This was extremely astonishing because they had broken the previous record held by Michael Jordan and Chicago Bulls (72-10 in 1995-96), as it also meant that they won 88.9% of their games. Although Curry did not win in the finals that year, he became the only player in NBA history to win a unanimous MVP where all 131 voters voted him first-place for MVP. In this same year Steph Curry made the most 3-pointers in a regular season with 402, as he averaged 30.1 PPG. Furthermore, Curry has 20+ career clutch shots, where he was able to put his team ahead in the final seconds to help secure a win. 

Stephen Curry has won multiple MVP awards, including the first unanimous MVP in league history, and has led the Golden State Warriors to multiple championships. In addition, Curry has won 4 NBA finals of the 6 that he has competed in, beating Lebron James in 3 of those. Some argue that Curry had a super team where he had tremendous amounts of support, however, he dropped over 100 points in each of the finals series. Curry was also double teamed the majority of the time double teamed while he had the ball and occasionally tripled due to the threat he brought. Curry’s most recent victory was against the Boston Celtics in 2022 where he managed to drop 187 points in the entire final series. Not only did they win, but Curry managed to win his first final MVP which made a strong argument towards his skill and ability. 

One of Steph Curry’s greatest performances was in the 2024 Paris Olympic gold medal game (US vs France) where the United States men’s national basketball team won 98-87. Curry was top scorer with 24 points as he showcased his ability to knock down multiple threes that helped US win the game. French commentators and media went on to refer to Curry as the best shooter in history. Curry’s talent became recognized by the whole world as he achieved a gold medal and the respect of the players and fans. 

In the end, many players are only able to dominate in one aspect or maybe two of the game. This is what separates Curry from them. Steph Curry showcases elite basketball IQ by reading defenses instantly, knows when to shoot, pass, or relocate, and is able to make decisions that keep the offense flowing. In addition, Curry’s off-ball movement is super underrated. Most stars dominate with the ball. Curry dominates without it. He is constantly running around screens, never standing still, and wears defenses over time. Overall, these are just a few characteristics of Curry that make him great. 

In conclusion, Stephen Curry’s case for being the greatest of all time is strongest through his impact on the court, individual achievements and major impacts that he has brought to the Golden State Warriors and the US national team. From revolutionizing how the sport is played with his shooting, to earning MVP honors and awards and leading multiple championship teams, Curry has reshaped both strategy and expectations at every level of the game. His ability to influence defenses without even having the ball, combined with his elite skill, efficiency, and clutch performances on the biggest stages, set him apart in a unique way. While other legends like Michael Jordan and Lebron James may pass him in certain categories, Curry’s influence and unmatched shooting ability give him a legitimate argument in the GOAT conversation.