Does Stephen Curry live up to the hobby hype?

[GOATcards]

Distinguish a few things:
1) A strong argument for Steph as the backup Point Guard (behind Magic) on an all-time NBA roster.
2) Steph's performances or reputation for performing in NBA Finals series
3) Steph being clearly the all-time 3-point king
4) The prices of Steph cards relative to others with similar or better credentials in the first two points above

It seems to me that the hobby hype for Curry relative to numerous other MVPs comes from point 3 above.

Let's start with the top 2 players I've watched in real time: Jordan and LeBron. They have a combined 9 regular season MVP awards and 10 Finals MVP awards, for an average of 4.5 and 5, respectively.

MJ's regular-season career averages (in the "big three categories" - PTS, REB, AST) excluding the Wizards years: 31.5 / 6.3 / 5.4

MJ's average in 6 Finals series: 33.6 / 6.0 / 6.0

LeBron regular season: 27.0 / 7.4 / 7.4
LeBron in 10 Finals series: 28.4 / 10.2 / 7.8

As for Curry, he is criticized by some for supposedly not showing up so well in the Finals, although the numbers don't bear that out:

Steph regular season from '12-13 onward: 26.3 / 4.8 / 6.7
Steph in 4 Finals series: 26.5 / 5.7 / 6.2

Steph has 2 regular-season MVPs and no Finals MVPs. His big-3 numbers are more or less the same in the Finals as in the regular-season, while with MJ and LeBron they raise their numbers. (Note that I do still include LeBron's rookie season in his regular-season averages, making them look a little less than they would otherwise. Exclude that season if you wish, but the numbers won't change much.)

From my general impression, the most-popular Big Three of basketball collecting are MJ, LeBron and Kobe, while Steph is 4th. (Who else would be 4th? Who is even 5th?) Aside from his 3-point game, what would justify this 4th-place ranking?

(Ok, here's Kobe's stats: Regular season excluding his first 3 and last 3 seasons: 27.8 / 5.7 / 5.2 ... Averages in 6 Finals series, excluding 2000: 27.7 / 6.1 / 5.4 ... 2 Finals MVPs.)

Now, given the 1st point at the start of this post, I would be eager to add a Curry card to my exclusive collection of all-time roster players (in spite of his Finals performances and accolades that don't seem to justify the level of hobby hype) . . . except that I'm not all that eager to pay prevailing Curry prices for cards of him in a pro uniform (i.e. not Davidson-uniform cards).

Of course the most worthy of hobby hype can be found high up on things like VORP (regular season and playoffs), MVP Shares, Finals MVPs, and all All-NBA selections lists....

Perhaps group members of the "Curry over LeBron" persuasion could enlighten me on what I'm missing?

[k13]

Kobe was terrible in NBA finals but somehow it never gets brought up.

[GOATcards]

Originally Posted by k13

Kobe was terrible in NBA finals but somehow it never gets brought up.

Why the 2 Finals MVPs then? And what does Kobe's top-3 hobby status have to do with whether Steph's #4 (I assume) hobby status is warranted?

[49ersSF]

Curry can confidently say that he changed the way the game is played on the court and how it is analyzed off the court. Front offices around the league completely changed their way of thought in how to draft/pick up free agents. Coaches changed the way they coached. Also, he is the greatest shooter to ever play the game.

He has 3 rings and played in 5 consecutive championship series but that can be said of some of the other greatest. The difficult aspect to claim in when you revolutionized the game and can say you are without a doubt the greatest ever at doing something that is core to the game.

[boxbuster7]

Curry is also unanimously liked. He may be the most popular player in the game right now. Every body else in the mt. rushmore has baggage.

[Kingofkings1281]

I’ll say one thing, you sure put a ton of effort into these lists and rankings haha

[Dame]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

Curry is also unanimously liked. He may be the most popular player in the game right now. Every body else in the mt. rushmore has baggage.

What's LBJ's?

[Kingofkings1281]

Originally Posted by Dame

What's LBJ's?

Annnnnd heeeere we go.

[k13]

Originally Posted by GOATcards

Why the 2 Finals MVPs then? And what does Kobe's top-3 hobby status have to do with whether Steph's #4 (I assume) hobby status is warranted?

The more shots you take the more points you score even if you shoot 40% plus if it's a close call between lets say Gasol and Kobe who do you think will get it?

Why do you think he lost 3 finals mvps to shaq???

[GOATcards]

Originally Posted by 49ersSF

Also, he is the greatest shooter to ever play the game.

He's the all-time 3 point king, although that has to be qualified: volume 3-point shooting. Steve Kerr is all-time 3 point % leader (who wasn't nearly the playmaker like some teammates who would find him open).

[k13]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

Curry is also unanimously liked. He may be the most popular player in the game right now. Every body else in the mt. rushmore has baggage.

He's flavor of the week again.
Everyone dumping him in 2019-20.

[GOATcards]

Originally Posted by k13

The more shots you take the more points you score even if you shoot 40% plus if it's a close call between lets say Gasol and Kobe who do you think will get it?

Probably the guy who is in the top 10 in career MVP shares and playoff VORP (including leading the team in playoff VORP in the '09 and '10 seasons).

Why do you think he lost 3 finals mvps to shaq???

Shaq was in his prime while Kobe was mostly still developing.

[captionwanker]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

Curry is also unanimously liked. He may be the most popular player in the game right now. Every body else in the mt. rushmore has baggage.

This. clean reputuation and one team player in one of the most wealthiest and loyal markets in the league.

[GOATcards]

Originally Posted by Kingofkings1281

Annnnnd heeeere we go.

On court, it would be the flopping and the '11 Finals bust. The other on-court things the haters bring up aren't convincing (such as KD somehow single-handedly dominating him in '17 & 18).

[threepointplay]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

Curry is also unanimously liked. He may be the most popular player in the game right now. Every body else in the mt. rushmore has baggage.

As things stand Curry has more public votes for the forthcoming All-Star game than any other player. In short he is the most popular active player.

For me the 'hobby hype' is in-line with the general basketball watching public.

[kd the sniper]

Originally Posted by GOATcards

On court, it would be the flopping and the '11 Finals bust. The other on-court things the haters bring up aren't convincing (such as KD somehow single-handedly dominating him in '17 & 18).

It was no jason Terry domination

[GOATcards]

The "nice guy" and "sticks with one team" explanations for hype/popularity don't seem to carry nearly as much weight as (the aptly-numbered) point 3.

Why isn't Tim Duncan nearly as popular/hyped, if not for that?

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by threepointplay

As things stand Curry has more public votes for the forthcoming All-Star game than any other player. In short he is the most popular active player.

For me the 'hobby hype' is in-line with the general basketball watching public.

And I can say that as somebody who barely has any curry cards and sold my big ones in 2011.

[kd the sniper]

Sports Media has a huge sway over who is loved and who is not

[GOATcards]

As for comparing Kerr's 3-point % with Steph's, we should look at their percentages on contested and uncontested 3s. Steph creates a bunch of his own opportunities and in the process is also getting contested more closely. Based on general impressions of their scoring opportunities.

Congrats to Steve Kerr on that game-winning '97 Finals shot.

[ninjacookies]

To me, it's Javaris Crittenton > Fetus Face on a visceral level based on the following...and it's not even close:



That said, I think it's safe to say he's just a few years removed from having his name associated with anything hype, real world or hobby. Once you've established a legacy (that he's still building upon), those catchphrases go out the window.

[Nomad]

Until I get a few more key issues: no.

[pharmboymatt]

One of the biggest reasons he's so popular is because the average Joe (aka everyone here) can relate to Curry a lot more than MJ/LeBron. We can all go out and chuck 3's and get on a hot streak once in a while, but we'll never know the feels of being a 6'6-6'8 freak athlete.

[mvp]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

Curry is also unanimously liked. He may be the most popular player in the game right now. Every body else in the mt. rushmore has baggage.

I hate Curry. But I’m self aware enough to admit I hate him because he is as good as he is and knows it (and doesn’t play for my team).

I think the major factor that drives real lasting hobby love is how much a player makes people feel something different. There are a bunch of things that influence that - personality, career achievements, media attention, franchise, influence on the game etc. But there is no formula to determine who should command the highest prices because there is no formula for love.

[jzx1103]

Originally Posted by k13

Kobe was terrible in NBA finals but somehow it never gets brought up.

K13 at it again with his skip bayless-like attention seeking takes lol. Btw if Curry wins another title, he solidifies himself as one of the all time greats.