Stephen Curry updated the game for today’s era—perhaps overly so. By extending the playing area, he drew defenders out of position and transformed difficult shots into everyday occurrences. His influence has altered basketball—not only how it's played but also how it's perceived. However, this shift hasn’t been met with universal approval.
A portion of the ill will arises from how seemingly easy everything appears for him. With his petite stature and youthful appearance, coupled with no obvious physical power, he still manages to dismantle defensive lines with just a subtle movement of his wrist. Envy seems to be one component fueling this animosity directed towards him.
Jealousy of Curry
Andre Iguodala is more familiar with it than most. He invested several years working alongside Curry for the Golden State Warriors , observing closely as the league’s sole ever unanimous MVP constructed a dynasty with precision and flair. He has also witnessed how this has irked many people.
The hatred towards Steph, you notice it the most where? Throughout the league, from the other players, Iguodala said . A few of the veteran players resent that he stepped in and stole their spotlight... they really dislike it.
Curry introduced a distinct form of supremacy, one that doesn’t involve the physical, intimidating style that had long characterized the NBA. He doesn’t Shaquille O'Neal , plowing past tacklers. He's not Michael Jordan , jumping over them. The emblem of California executes his moves with precision, using clever angles and perfect timing, along with such rapid release that opponents hardly notice the ball leaving his hand before it swishes through the hoop.
Such dominance runs deep. He wasn’t meant to be the one to redefine the league. He was considered too slender, too frail, even though he came from basketball royalty—his father, Dell Curry , was a marksman before him — Steph faced neglect. He didn’t get offers from prominent Division I schools. Too short, they claimed. Too frail. Too simple to contain.
They accurately assessed his physique, but overlooked his skill and effort. Curry transformed his perceived weaknesses into strengths, using his lean build as leverage. Since he couldn’t overpower opponents near the hoop, he crafted a style of play that rarely required him to enter the key. Instead, he would position himself nearly three-quarters court away and make defenders run themselves ragged trying to keep up with his movements.
Davidson College spotted potential in the guard that others overlooked. The slender player from Charlotte didn’t catch the attention of top-tier programs; prestigious institutions such as Duke and UNC chose not to recruit him. Despite this, even his dad’s former school, Virginia Tech, only extended an offer for him to join as a walk-on.
However, Davidson’s head coach, Bob McKillop, spotted talent underneath the surface and extended a scholarship offer to Curry when other programs didn’t, taking a chance on his future prospects. This risk proved successful as Curry burst into prominence, guiding Davidson to an incredible Elite Eight appearance in 2008 and reshaping the team’s legacy forever.
Sharpshooting dominance
It succeeded. Curry scored his way into the annals of basketball history and pulled the Warriors along with him. Four titles. Two MVP awards — including an unprecedented unanimous win. He turned the unimaginable into something that seemed certain. Perhaps this is what irks some individuals.
The agile point guard revolutionized the sport. His long-range shots extended defensive boundaries, compelling taller players to protect areas where they typically didn’t have to play. He excelled at making three-pointers, which became one of the most crucial plays in basketball. Today, children across America hone their skills by perfecting deep jump-shots inspired by Curry’s example, believing such feats can be achieved.
This is why the discontent persists. Veteran athletes feel the league changing beneath them. The way they used to play—a focus on physicality with tough fouls, half-court confrontations, and dominating inside—is now less prominent, regardless of personal preferences. Curry’s approach has become the benchmark, which doesn’t sit well with everybody.
Related: "Even if being your best means surpassing him, why not aim for that?" —Stephen Curry regarding his pursuit of Michael Jordan’s title as the greatest of all time (GOAT).