With the MVP-worthy season he’s having, people are once again calling Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors one of the best NBA players of all time.
He’s now the three-point champion, two-time MVP, and seven-time All-Star and his team has won the Finals three times.
It’s hard to argue that Curry doesn’t belong in the conversation for best pro ever.
But there are some people who think that isn’t the case.
In fact, there are some people who downright hate Curry.
Why is there a number of NBA fans who hate the most exciting player in the league?
He Changed The NBA
For better or for worse, Curry has changed the way the NBA works.
Before he entered the league, it was a much larger, physically-dominant game.
Once Curry started playing, more and more people focused on deep two and three-point shots and relied on speed over size.
We are now witnessing a league full of shorter, faster shooters and that wasn’t the case before.
How much has Steph Curry changed the NBA?
Three pointers attempted by season:
2009: 44,583
2020: 74,822Steph was drafted in 2009.
— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) December 14, 2021
This has rubbed some people the wrong way.
There are many fans who preferred the other way of play and the previous style and think that Curry’s form of basketball is somehow weaker and less enjoyable.
To them, Curry’s style doesn’t require as much skill.
Popularity Always Leads To Hate
Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Michael Jordan – all of these guys have been considered the best to ever do it and all of them have also experienced some serious hate.
The truth is that the more popular an NBA pro gets, the more disgruntled feelings they will receive.
That’s just the simple nature of sports.
Throughout every sport, you will find that the biggest stars – whether it be Tom Brady, or Serena Williams – have a legion of haters.
That isn’t an indication of how good or bad someone actually is.
In fact, some would consider receiving so much backlash is a good thing because it means that they are on the radar of millions of fans.
Sports is a naturally divisive topic and it will always generate strong feelings on both sides of love and hate.
For everyone who worships Curry, there will be others who abhor him too.
He Is Showy
It can’t be denied that Curry is a bit of a showboat.
You have seen it again and again: he will nail a crazy deep three-point shot and will rejoice along with the fans.
Curry has been known to dance and perform during his games.
TEN straight games with 30+ points 🤯
Do your dance, @StephenCurry30 pic.twitter.com/Xvz6BcKD2Q
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 18, 2021
To his fans, that’s immensely enjoyable but to those who don’t like him, it only cements their disdain.
Some people think his showy nature is obnoxious and unnecessary and people rooting against the Warriors really, really don’t like it.
Curry’s playful style and attitude definitely invoke strong emotions and only add to the love and hate that surrounds him.
Curry isn’t going to change any time soon – why should he when he’s playing the best basketball of his career?
He is quite comfortable with the dislike he receives from many and knows that it just comes with the territory of playing so well.
Only 3% of opponents consider Steph the best player in the league. To carry “shooter” tag, you really need iconic shots. Standard that MJ set.