NBA HOFer says Warriors' Stephen Curry would have been 'Hurt' and held to 17 PPG in their physical era; fans outraged, calling it jealousy!

Stephen Curry ’s latest 52-point masterpiece for the Golden State Warriors didn’t just dominate the box score—it also reignited debates about his legacy. But one Hall of Famer’s controversial take, shared by ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith , has stolen the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

Stephen A. Smith reveals NBA Hall of Famer 's shocking critique of Stephen Curry

"I had a Hall of Famer come up to me and said to me, 'Steph Curry would not have averaged more than 17 points a game. ... In our era, we would've hurt him.'"😳 @stephenasmith on Draymond Green's recent comments about comparing NBA eras 👀 pic.twitter.com/PxnstCSHR5

— First Take (@FirstTake) April 2, 2025

After Stephen Curry torched the Memphis Grizzlies with 52 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists—including 10 three-pointers—Smith revealed a jarring conversation with an unnamed Hall of Famer.

“I had a Hall of Famer come up to me and say, ‘Steph Curry would not have averaged more than 17 points a game,’” Stephen A. Smith said on First Take. “In our era, we would’ve hurt him.” The comments implied Curry’s finesse playstyle wouldn’t survive the physicality of earlier NBA decades. Unsurprisingly, the backlash was swift. (H/t: Sporting News)

Social media fires back at HOFer's outdated take conveyed by Stephen A. Smith

Fans and analysts quickly dismantled the argument, pointing out Curry’s skill transcends eras. Here’s how X reacted:

- “So basically ‘he’s better than me so I’ll hurt him.’ Gotcha.”

- “So Muggsy Bogues at 5’3 could last 14 years but Steph wouldn’t ?”

- “If you put Steph in an era where players smoked cigars at halftime, they’d collapse by the first quarter trying to guard him.”

- “Zeke averaged 15 in a less athletic, less mobile era… Steph would have been the best conditioned athlete in that time. Averaging 30.”

- “Another day, Another awful segment from first take"

The criticism highlights a growing divide: older players clinging to nostalgia versus modern analytics favoring skill over brute force.

Stephen Curry’s performance by the numbers

Tuesday’s game wasn’t just another highlight—it reinforced Curry’s all-time greatness. Key stats from his historic night:



Stat

Value



This marked Curry’s 27th game with 10+ threes, extending his own NBA record. The win also pushed the Golden State Warriors past Memphis into 5th place in the West.

Why the HOFer's controversial take misses the mark

Curry’s impact goes beyond numbers. He revolutionized basketball by prioritizing shooting efficiency and off-ball movement, forcing entire franchises to adapt. Dismissing his success as a product of a “softer” era ignores:

- Unprecedented range: Curry’s shooting stretches defenses in ways past players couldn’t imagine.

- Conditioning: Modern NBA athletes train year-round—Curry’s stamina would overwhelm older eras.

- Rule changes: Hand-checking bans didn’t create Curry; his skill forced defenses to foul him.

Also read: NBA Record: Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry becomes the oldest player to achieve this stat; rubs shoulders with Michael Jordan, defying age and gravity

Debating eras is futile. Curry’s dominance is measurable: 4 rings, 2 MVPs, and every three-point record . Tuesday’s explosion was a reminder—greatness isn’t bound by timelines.