LeBron James drew parallels between NFL star Patrick Mahomes and NBA star Steph Curry when it comes to influencing the game. Mahomes is a generational talent who is already being named in the GOAT debate along with Tom Brady. He put up another star performance to help the Kansas City Chiefs win Super Bowl LVIII. On the other hand, Curry is no less. He has changed games single-handedly and James is highly impressed.
During the first episode of Mind The Game podcast, James was in conversation with JJ Redick. The pair discussed a time when coaches would let their bench players play the whole fourth quarter if they had a big lead. However, it is not possible now since “Whenever that little light-skinned f*cker came into the league that’s in Golden State,” James said.
JJ Redick: “People would clear their benches with a 17-point lead and 9 minutes to go.”
LeBron James: “Whenever that little light-skinned f*cker came into the league, that’s in Golden State, he changed that whole narrative.” 😂
(via @mindthegamepod) pic.twitter.com/ssagOJEDZj
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 19, 2024
“He changed that whole narrative. He single-handedly changed the ‘no lead is safe’ [paradigm]. It’s like Pat Mahomes right now. Love that guy, I love Steph.”
Further, James added, “When it comes to influence, since I’ve been watching the game, [the players with] the most influence on the game… Steph and Allen Iverson are the two biggest influential guys in our game.”
What a night 🏆 #SBLVIII pic.twitter.com/vanuIKYuZP
— Super Bowl (@SuperBowl) February 12, 2024
28-year-old Mahomes is a 3x Super Bowl champion and a 3x Super Bowl MVP. The Chiefs quarterback is a 2x NFL MVP as well. He has multiple NFL records to his name including being fastest to 10,000 and 25,000 career passing yards. He was also the fastest to 100 and 200 career passing touchdowns. Mahomes, much like Curry, changed the way his sport is played. He has been immensely influential
Steph Curry redefined the way NBA teams look at 3-point attempts
James claimed that Allen Iverson and Curry are extremely influential because they are relatable. He said, “Allen Iverson and Steph, they were just so relatable, and kids felt like they could be them, they were guys that were not always counted on, they were small in stature, and they just defied the odds.”
Even if you are not a hardcore NBA fan, there will be a few players who you would know for specific attributes. Steph Curry is the player you would know for unbelievable accuracy. His 3-point shots are effortless and accurate. But, more importantly, these points help his team win games. That is exactly what was noticed by the other NBA teams.
“STEPHEN CURRY…THE ALL-TIME THREE-POINT KING IN THE NBA.”
History.#NBA75 pic.twitter.com/8SawFh2QFk
— NBA (@NBA) December 15, 2021
When Curry made his debut in the 2009/10 season, the average number of 3-point attempts throughout the NBA was 18.1. Since Curry’s debut season, this stat has seen a gradual increase. It saw an increase each year until it almost doubled to 35.2 in the 2021/22 season. In the 2022/23 season, the total average 3-point attempts was 34.2.
Steph Curry’s 3-point stats explain his influence
After playing for the Davidson Wildcats college basketball team, Steph Curry was the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors. He has spent his career at the same team racking up an insane amount of records.
James fittingly said, “And now you have Steph, who’s shooting over the Empire State Building.”
Steph Curry holds the NBA record for most three-point field goals made in history (3,683), most seasons leading the league in made three-point field goals (7), and most three-point field goals made in a season (402).
He also holds multiple NBA playoff records including the most three-point field goals made in history (618), most three-point field goals made in a season (98, tied with Klay Thompson), and most consecutive games with a made three-point field goal (132).
Steph Curry is a 4x NBA champion and a 2x NBA MVP. The 36-year-old has undoubtedly changed the NBA by being the best 3-point shooter in the game.