Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Jerry West says Stephen Curry would have been just fine in more physical NBA era

2016 NBA Finals - Game One

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 02: Stephen Curry #30 of the rGolden State Warriors reacts after making a three pointer in the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 2, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Getty Images

We can debate whether it’s a good thing or not, but there is no doubt the NBA is less physical today than it used to be. That is by the league’s design; they have tightened the calls up, both on the perimeter and in the paint, wanting to sell the skill of players rather than watch the get mugged.

That truth leads to a lot of this from fans:

“Stephen Curry couldn’t play in that era, he would have got knocked on his a&* and not been able to shoot.”

Jerry West says you are wrong. Via Baxter Holmes of ESPN.

I love that West is not down with the #getoffmylawn crowd. He and Larry Bird have that in common.

If you think Curry is soft, you are not watching him play. Teams have tried to knock him around, and just as he would have then he gets back up. He’s tough. Plus, I’m going to let you in on a little secret:

If you can hit 26-foot step-back jumpers off the dribble, you’ll be impossible to stop in any era.