Watching Steph Curry dart around the basketball court can be a dizzying experience.
He often runs around screens before splashing 3-pointers and keeps you on your toes with his constant threats to dash at the rim and flick up a quick finger roll. Warriors coach Steve Kerr has repeatedly said Curry’s non-stop movement is what separates him from other great scorers in NBA history.
Before the Warriors faced off against the Indiana Pacers on the road Monday night, Kerr discussed the differences between Curry and Reggie Miller with local reporters. While Miller used to be an off-ball whiz as well, he didn’t quite have Curry’s handles or ability to create his own shot at the rim.
“What makes Steph unique is his ability to play Reggie off the ball, but to play way better than Reggie on the ball,” Kerr said. “I’m saying that because I love Reggie and he’s a good friend of mine and I hope he’s listening. He would admit to you it’s actually true. There’s never been anybody like Steph who has that on- and off-ball brilliance.
“Reggie was one very few – at the time when he played, Rip Hamilton comes to mind, I’m sure there are a few others I’m missing – but the ability to race off screens and turn it into a marathon and just outlast his opponent by being in better shape, by just outwilling him in his ability to get open. Steph’s got that same work ethic and willingness to get open no matter what it takes.”
Miller currently sits at No. 3 on the all-time 3-point list in NBA history, behind Curry and Ray Allen. If Steph hits seven 3-pointers Monday at Reggie’s old stomping grounds, he will surpass Allen’s total of 2,973 career threes.
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Kerr also recounted some of his most memorable moments competing against Miller, like the time he tried to guard Miller but he hit a game-winning three and he took a bow in Chicago. Toni Kukoc eventually took a bow after hitting a game-winner in Indiana. Kerr also humorously remembered Miller’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer in Game 4 of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals.
“He came off that screen and blatantly shoved off on Michael [Jordan] and made the buzzer-beater to win the game, which was just insane,” Kerr said. “Michael couldn’t get a call back then. Always on the short end of it.”
You can listen to Monday night’s Warriors-Pacers game on 95.7 The Game, the home of Golden State basketball.
