As Steph Curry recently exhibited in the 2024 Paris Olympics, the task of trying to guard him is near impossible. Put one defender on him, and he’ll likely cook them with his quick release or a shifty move toward the paint. Put two defenders on him, and he'll still find a way to make a ridiculous shot, often from well beyond the three-point line.
But it's not just Curry's shooting that makes him such a nightmare for defenders. It's also his ball-handling and ability to create space. As Jeff Teague mentioned on “Club 520,” the “Baby-Faced Assassin” is so lethal with his jumper that you cannot afford not to bite on any of his pump fakes.
On your toes all the time
Teague, a one-time All-Star with the Atlanta Hawks, discussed who would win in a one-on-one game between Curry, a two-time NBA MVP, and Paul George, a nine-time All-Star. Jeff asserted that it would be the “Chef,” whose incredible marksmanship strikes fear deep into the hearts of the game’s elite defenders.
“Steph shoots the ball so good, anytime he does like this (imitates a shot fake), your hands are going up—you damn near gonna jump,” Teague shared .
What makes the former Davidson Wildcat so dangerous isn’t just the volume of long-distance bombs he regularly takes but also the accuracy and consistency with which he makes them. After all, Curry has made 42 percent of his three-pointers in his decorated 15-year career. Failing to get a hand up on his face would spell trouble for any defender.
“Every time he pump fakes, sh**, you damn near gotta go for it,” the retired guard stressed.
The former NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks added that while PG’s game is nice, he’d rather take his chances with the 6-foot-9 wingman taking a jumper than Steph doing the same thing.
“Paul George might pump fake sometimes, and you’d be like, 'Sh**, I’mma give you a shot.' Like, give Paul George a shot—if you go to the three, I’mma late contest. I can’t late contest with Steph. You see this ni*** shooting over two ni****?” Teague added, referring to Curry’s memorable three-pointer over two French defenders in the gold-medal game of the Paris Olympics.
Related: Phil Jackson once shared why Larry Bird was a better player than Magic Johnson: "I think I'll probably go with Larry"
Jeff won’t forget about defending Steph
Teague has first-hand experience trying to keep in step with Steph, having crossed paths with the ten-time All-Star throughout his 12-year NBA career. Jeff emphasized that defending Curry is no joke and that it is something you’ll remember forever.
“I've been there before—that island is different, bro. Speaking from experience—PTSD from being on that island,” he conveyed. “His ability to shoot that basketball makes him unguardable.”
Curry’s amazing ability to get buckets from any part of the court has scarred many defenders during his time in the league. Teague knows well that sometimes even your best efforts aren’t enough when facing off against Chef Curry, and that’s perfectly okay.
Related: “An absolutely terrible shot for every other person in the world” - Mike Greenberg crowns Steph Curry’s golden dagger vs. France as the most memorable shot in history
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