Steph Curry doesn’t jump out of the gym like Michael Jordan or overpower defenders like LeBron James. Standing just 6 feet tall and weighing 170 pounds, he looked like an unlikely superstar. Yet no player has intimidated defenses quite like him. How do you guard a guy who’s a scoring threat as soon as he crosses half court? His combination of long-range shooting, flashy ball-handling, and spectacular finishes around the rim makes him a nightmare for opponents.

Those 40-foot shots? Pure disrespect.

In 2015, the Warriors burst onto the scene, winning 67 games and capturing their first NBA championship in 40 years. This was a dramatic leap from a mediocre 51-win season the year before. Facing LeBron James and the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, Curry stepped up with 37 points on 54% from three in Game 5, shifting momentum and announcing himself as one of the best in the league.

LeBron, defending his throne, said simply, “I feel confident because I’m the best player in the world.” But the Warriors, despite injuries on the Cavs’ side, closed out the series on the road, cementing their status as the NBA’s new powerhouse, led by Curry—now widely regarded as a top-three player.

After becoming the first unanimous MVP in NBA history, Curry was laser-focused on winning back-to-back titles to validate his elite status. In the 2016 playoffs, he scorched opponents, including a 40-point game against Portland where he shouted, “I’m back!” His killer instinct was undeniable.

But the Warriors faced adversity—down 3-1 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, many thought their dynasty was over. Critics like Stephen A. Smith declared Westbrook was dominating Curry. Yet Steph responded fiercely, averaging over 32 points with 47% from three in the final three games, leading one of sports’ greatest comebacks.

In 2017, after the painful loss in the 2016 Finals, Curry returned with a vengeance. Against Kyrie Irving and the Cavs, he hit a clutch contested three in Game 5, proving he was the best point guard in the NBA and silencing doubters.

In 2018, after LeBron’s 51-point masterpiece in Game 1 of the Finals, Curry responded with a barrage of five consecutive three-pointers in Game 2, dazzling fans and sealing the sweep. He became a three-time champion and two-time MVP, joining rare company.

The 2018-19 season brought turmoil after internal conflicts and injuries. Despite this, Curry’s clutch performance against the Rockets in the playoffs, including a dagger three against James Harden, reminded the world of his greatness.

Facing Portland in the next round, Curry dominated in a four-game sweep, scoring 146 points—the most ever in a four-game series—showcasing his effortless scoring and leadership.

Curry’s journey began humbly. Drafted sixth overall in 2009, few predicted his rise. Early Warriors teams struggled, but by 2013, Curry exploded with a 54-point game at Madison Square Garden, signaling his arrival.

The pandemic-stricken 2019-20 season saw injuries and setbacks, but Curry returned healthy in 2021, averaging a league-best 33 points per game and scoring a career-high 62 points in a game, reaffirming his status as the league’s elite.

His unanimous MVP season may be the greatest ever—surpassing the 50-40-90 shooting mark, breaking records for threes made, and leading the best regular-season team in NBA history.

One unforgettable moment came in 2016 against Oklahoma City, where Curry scored 46 points and hit a game-winning three-pointer in overtime—one of the most disrespectful shots ever made.

Steph Curry has forever changed basketball—not just through his accolades, but by inspiring a generation to shoot from deep, stretch defenses, and play with joy and creativity.

At this point, he’s more than a multiple-time MVP and three-time champion; he’s the greatest shooter ever and a transformative figure on basketball’s Mount Rushmore.

Who’s ready for the next legendary Curry moment?