NBA Legends Explain Why It’s So Hard To Guard Steph Curry At 36 | HO

When NBA greats see Stephen Curry and say he’s different, it’s not just about draining threes from another zip code or dribbling defenders out of their shoes.

There’s something else, something almost supernatural about it.

While most guys his age are slowing down, Steph is speeding up, flipping the script on Father Time. So what’s his secret?
Let’s hear it straight from the legends themselves. And who better to kick off our list at number 15 than someone who’s been toe-to-toe with Steph in the biggest moments – LeBron James.

When you think about intense NBA rivalries, LeBron and Steph are right up there. So when LeBron was asked on HBO’s The Shop who he’d want to team up with, he didn’t hesitate.

Stephen Curry, widely regarded as the greatest shooter of all time, has become nearly impossible to guard, even at the age of 36. Curry’s impact on the NBA and his ability to maintain peak performance have left fans, analysts, and even some of the greatest players in the league in awe. His unique style of play challenges traditional defense tactics and showcases his once-in-a-generation talent. NBA legends and top players have shared their experiences guarding Curry, and their insights reveal why defending him is one of the most exhausting and challenging tasks in basketball.

LeBron James, a fierce competitor and one of Curry’s greatest rivals, has acknowledged Curry’s unique impact on the game. On HBO’s The Shop, when asked who he would love to play alongside, LeBron listed his son, Bronny, and Curry, calling him “lethal.” LeBron’s high praise highlights Curry’s ability to control a game from the moment he steps out of his car, joking that defenders need to guard him from the parking lot. For LeBron, Curry’s off-ball movement, long-range accuracy, and calm under pressure make him especially dangerous, making him a nightmare for any team facing the Warriors.

Derek White, a prominent defender, found Curry’s movement on the court mentally draining. During the 2022 NBA Finals, White faced the impossible challenge of tracking Curry across the court, dealing with Curry’s constant relocation and cuts. White described the experience as “48 minutes of where is Steph,” illustrating how the perpetual need to monitor Curry’s position takes a toll on defenders’ focus and energy.

In the 2015 NBA Finals, Matthew Dellavedova’s defensive battle with Curry became legendary. Playing with relentless effort to slow down Curry, Dellavedova eventually ended up hospitalized from exhaustion and dehydration. Curry’s high-stamina playing style and his ability to wear down defenders is no joke; as J.R. Smith commented, “Deli almost died guarding Steph Curry,” symbolizing the lengths defenders must go to contain him. The experience with Dellavedova was just one of many cases that demonstrate the physical demands of guarding Curry.

Scottie Pippen, a defensive icon, has called Curry a “one-off,” referring to his shooting range and confidence from deep. Pippen remarked on how Curry’s three-point shooting is almost like a layup, a skill that nobody else can replicate to the same effect. Pippen believes that Curry’s skill set will be tough to replicate, even for future generations, reinforcing the notion that Curry’s influence on the game may be unmatched.

Austin Reaves, a rising star, got his first taste of guarding Curry in the playoffs. Reaves quickly recognized the difficulty of Curry’s off-ball movement, describing the experience as “honestly hell.” The Warriors’ offensive system, which is structured around Curry’s constant movement and spacing, left Reaves feeling drained, unable to keep up with Curry’s relentless activity. Reaves highlighted how Curry’s style impacted his own performance, leaving him unable to focus on his own shooting because of the physical demands of defending Curry.

Elgin Baylor, an NBA legend and Hall of Famer, expressed his astonishment at Curry’s shooting abilities, calling it “unbelievable.” Having witnessed the progression of the game across multiple eras, Baylor acknowledged Curry’s seemingly supernatural ability to shoot from anywhere on the court. For Baylor, Curry’s unselfishness and playmaking abilities only add to his uniqueness, and Curry has introduced a new dimension to the game Baylor never thought possible.

Dwyane Wade, another all-time great, admits there is a certain “fear” that comes with guarding Curry. Not necessarily fear in the literal sense, but a nervous anticipation of the unexpected because of Curry’s versatility. Curry’s movement, ball-handling, and shooting create unpredictability that keeps defenders on edge, not knowing what he’ll do next. Wade points out that Curry’s willingness to give up the ball, only to reposition himself and come off screens, makes him nearly impossible to stop.

Pascal Siakam recalls trying to guard Curry during the 2019 NBA Finals when he played for the Toronto Raptors. Siakam’s team found Curry so challenging to handle that they decided to triple-team him, focusing on preventing Curry from scoring at all costs. This strategy reveals how Curry’s scoring capability forces entire defensive schemes to shift, leaving other players open, which Curry then exploits to keep his team scoring efficiently.

Kobe Bryant, known for his own intensity, had deep respect for Curry’s calmness. Kobe saw Curry’s steady demeanor as a deadly asset. Unlike many players, Curry maintains a composed state, which allows him to perform at a high level even in the face of adversity. Bryant noted that Curry’s calmness and skill blend seamlessly, making him lethal on the court. For Kobe, it was Curry’s mental approach that set him apart, a quality only true legends possess.

Kevin Durant, who played alongside Curry for several years, has called him the greatest point guard ever, asserting that Curry belongs among the top five players in history. Durant knows firsthand the impact Curry has on his teammates and the pressure he puts on defenses, as he witnessed Curry’s effect on and off the court. Durant’s high regard for Curry’s skill and impact on the game reflects the legacy Curry has built over his career.

Gilbert Arenas, a former NBA star known for his sharp shooting, believes Curry is harder to guard than Allen Iverson. Arenas draws a comparison, explaining that Curry’s constant movement, especially off-ball, is reminiscent of both Iverson and Rip Hamilton. According to Arenas, once Curry gives up the ball, he’s even more dangerous, using screens and movement to create scoring opportunities.

Mikal Bridges, one of the league’s best defenders, acknowledges the difficulty of guarding Curry, describing it as “24 seconds of just being prepared.” Curry’s unpredictable movement makes it challenging for defenders like Bridges to keep track of him, and they often find themselves “praying” Curry misses. His deceptive off-ball movement and ability to shoot quickly create a sense of desperation among defenders, who understand that their best efforts might still not be enough.

Grant Williams describes Curry as “the most impactful player” because of his gravity on the court. Williams explains that Curry’s presence forces defenders to guard him as closely off the ball as they do when he has it. Curry’s movement and quick release place defenders in a constant state of alert, amplifying his influence on the game.

Paul George once believed he had a solid plan to stop Curry, but after Curry dropped 50 points on him, George learned just how difficult it truly was. George’s experience echoes the frustrations of defenders league-wide who have faced Curry, who needs only a split second to make defenders pay, leaving them feeling helpless despite their best efforts.

Klay Thompson, Curry’s longtime teammate, sees no end to Curry’s greatness. Thompson highlights Curry’s work ethic and love for the game as factors that will allow him to dominate well into his late 30s or beyond. Klay believes Curry’s finesse and shooting style are ideal for longevity, suggesting that Curry’s reign as a shooting legend could continue indefinitely.

Stephen Curry has cemented himself as one of the NBA’s all-time greats, not just for his incredible shooting ability but for the way he fundamentally alters the game. His constant movement, unselfish playmaking, and mental toughness make him a player that even the best defenders struggle to contain. Curry’s unique skills and impact on the game will be studied and admired for generations, and his influence on basketball is one that will likely never be replicated.