Why Prime Steph Curry Was Impossible To Guard

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At his peak, Steph Curry's skillset was so game-breaking that even some of the best defenses of the 21st century were left visibly helpless.
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[@HoopVenue]

Download the Gametime app (gametime.co/) and redeem code HOOPVENUE for $20 off your first purchase (terms apply).

[@urbanchillerTM]

Is the wardrobe behind you a fake cutout? Curious

[@coryrobert.lvkh25_8]

I am the 3,200 liked comment, great video HoopVenue

[@markesquire6470]

@@urbanchillerTM Probably imbedded in the wall if anything. You can see the shadows behind knobs and the 3-d shape around the corners.

[@Paulie_Geelie]

This was back when defenses didn't respect the 3 as a true weapon. Teams would let Curry get into rhythm, at which point he became unstoppable. Nowadays Curry has to work twice as hard for a lesser look. The fact that he's still as effective in this new NBA he's created shows how great he truly is

[@KxngKUDA]

Because with how deadly he is, it only takes 1 _slight_ mistake to undo all that work. Fun fact: it only takes .4 seconds for Steph to get a shot off. That's your margin of error. Good luck😂

[@Zynedify]

Yeah I wouldn’t even agree with this title, I’d only go as far to say that they respect him now & after 2016 it’s just grown more & more. I’d go as far to say Steph in 2020-2022 is better than his 2014-2016 self.

[@GodComplexiQ]

Naw this was just when steph had fun. He would shoot anything. Now he knows his team will fall apart if he misses so he takes better shots. They always respected the 3 just couldn’t stop it with the 5 out team they use to have and the screen sets mike brown was giving them to run

[@kebub1]

why steph isnt in GOAT debate. just how.

[@savonsanders8684]

@@GodComplexiQNothing has changed. He’s just picking his spot better and his job has changed in these last 4-5 seasons that that might seem like the case, but tbh, he’s facing harder defensive schemes, that if he hits a few shots in a row then teams trap or double team him to take away his rhythm. Ever since those 2019 Finals, team haven’t given him the faith of a 1v1

[@Kidkinsey]

Greatest offensive engine I’ve ever seen, idc how much numbers inflate in todays era. There is nobody with a offensive season like curry

[@joejett5084]

Prime harden > prime curry

[@tcfrmda5]

@@joejett5084stick to soccer hooping not for Evb

[@bigbangbasketball]

Yeah steph is deff generational

[@relevancy1123]

can't. hardens prime was 3-4 seasons. Steph has been consistently good for over a decade. they're not even comparable as players.​@@joejett5084

[@Indigo_drip]

@@tcfrmda5James harden was literally the best iso player ever, prime curry stats don’t even come close to prime curry, harden too do much more

[@Khan-rz8qi]

The way Steph snapped Chris Paul’s ankles in 2015 on that baseline will forever be a STAMPED moment in NBA history😂. I seen it and threw my face up in disgust.😭🙏

[@4ktkaram395]

He literally stepped on his shoe but ok

[@TheGamingShogun]

@@Khan-rz8qi Cp3 got his get back

[@NEOQEAVCS2]

this was the point in time where he became better than the point god

[@prod.bytrebel1539]

Again he stepped on his shoe and Steph moved this feet after

[@BHanif1996]

​@@prod.bytrebel1539 still. Most people aren't falling because someone stepped on their foot. But they're pro athletes. Either way you don't make mistakes against Steph Curry

[@Jrppegg]

50 45 90 while averaging over 30 ppg and shooting the toughest shots possible at 67 TS% is insane, 402 3s, 73-9 team record, unanimous mvp, imo the greatest offensive season a player has ever had

[@captainduche2969]

The basketball world will never see a bigger offensive threat than Steph curry. Deadly once he crosses half court. Entire defensive game plans are centered around him

[@xavierb9061]

Kd...thats who they needed after first unanimous mvp. Wasnt for hisdefense he won 2 fmvp

[@Runitup2k]

There’s a lot of scarier offensive threats, now if u said no bigger 3pt threat in history than you’d be correct

[@captainduche2969]

@@Runitup2k There isn't tho. The fact teams are so scared of his shooting ability generates so much offense/oppertunities for his teammates. As well as that Steph has always been at league leading efficiency at driving and scoring at the basket

[@cheetah219]

Curry is the ultimate PnR player imo. Can't leave him open, switch or go under screens because his release is too quick. Can't switch a big on him because his dribble is pretty great (remember when he dribbled around 4 players for an open 3, at the time, it was a bad shot). Surround him with shooters with small ball, he has the paint free for him to go to work within the key, only to then pass out or take a great layup or floater. Also put a big in that's great at offensive rebounding (bogut was hampered by injuries but he was great on those early chips, but also allowed green to take that center position and turned that series around) This is not including yet how when he shifts to more of a SG position/offball and runs to weak side, he always cuts across baseline, reads the defensive and he has the potential for an open corner 3 or strong side. He pulls players with his gravity whether on ball or off ball, and the league still cannot keep up with him when he's off ball

[@BixeqeShorts]

curry is the closest thing to Jordan when it comes to defensive schemes. You cant leave Jordan open even if hes cold just like curry

[@macandcheese30]

I get the idea but the ultimate PnR player is Luka for me. LeBron prolly second in my mind

[@BixeqeShorts]

@@macandcheese30 I respect your opinion

[@savonsanders8684]

@@macandcheese30I disagree. Steph can be the dribbler in the pick n roll and feast or be the screener and role man which sets up an original mismatch if he was on the ball.

[@macandcheese30]

@@savonsanders8684 I get it and I have him in my top 10 PnR player ever I think, I just feel like some other players optimize the PnR and its options better than him

[@bakablest]

honestly believe he is still in his prime, arguably better than 2016-2019 because of what he did in 2021 and 2022

[@jdapaul1351]

He added more muscle and weight to combat his loss of speed and being abused for being short.

[@djdoc06]

He is better… but the league guards him better than they did in 2015-16. Both schemes and personnel, all teams are needing to defend against the kinds of shots Steph takes.

[@dimelo58]

And you didn’t event talk about his playmaking and passing.

[@majestyirving1372]

Not nearly as impressive as this part of his game no hate

[@dimelo58]

@@majestyirving1372 everyone on the team scores easier because this guy is getting doubled or trapped they use him to get easy points. Draymond may be a decent passer but without curry creating the advantage first he’d be useless on offense.

[@rickystackss]

@@dimelo58calling draymond a decent passer is crazy. he’s been the best passer on that team throughout their entire time together

[@obarich]

@@rickystackssEither way Draymond can only pass and defend, he is useless to score 😂

[@dimelo58]

@@rickystackss he’s a decent passer It’s not an insult he’s not luka good he’s not jokic good he’s not cp3 good he’s not steve nash good.

[@splashgod2509]

I’m so glad you brought up the left handed finishes. His touch around the basket is extremely underrated

[@abdoulm.sorofino2642]

I think 2013 is one of the most underrated seasons of steph curry’s career. He averaged almost 23 points per game for the regular season and led the warriors to the second round of the playoffs against a much more experienced spurs team. He also hit the most threes out of any player in the 2013 nba season. I’m not happy that some of the stats from that season did not appeared in the video like at 10:02 at 10:30 and 19:49. He was averaging only 1 less point than his mvp year in 2015 that 2013 season.

[@ashinyblockreal]

I think 2022 was his most complete year

[@DavisNBasketball]

Steph Curry is an absolute legend.

[@sskmanentsa5326]

Best offensive player ever. We lost two prime seasons in '20 and' 21 due to injuries and roster construction, some say that they tanked the play-in games though in '21. Even 2018 and 2019 had injury problems otherwise if it was not the case, those number would be even crazier.

[@savonsanders8684]

I think if Steph doesn’t get hurt in 2012 he would’ve won MIP by year 3, jumping from 18 PPG to maybe 25 PPG? Then in 2020 if he didn’t get hurt I think he would’ve most likely would have also had like another 30 PPG or dang near close to it. I think Steph ability to adapt, to the defensive schemes that he’s seen is crazy! With no shooters, the 2019 Raptors defense caught him ‘off guard’ but ever since then he’s constantly lit up box and 1s.

[@liftbread]

this is statistically incorrect. the best offensive player ever is jokic; ignoring last season he has the 2 most efficient seasons of all time in his first two mvp seasons.

[@prince-bm4xt]

21 is regarded as one of Steph’s greatest individual seasons ever. It’s a shame his team was garbage

[@savonsanders8684]

@@liftbread Jokic doesn’t come close to this. 2016 alone is worlds apart. Jokic is playing full games too but Steph during this time was doing this shit in just 3 QTs. The dude sat out 24 4th QTs, and teams was losing by 20 at the end of the 3rd! By far Jokic have been the closest though but Steph was different.

[@savonsanders8684]

@@prince-bm4xt Yeah that Steph was facing box and 1s from every team and averaged 32, 6 and 6 on 48/42/92 shooting splits. That season had just 72 games instead of 82 and GS went 39-33. A lot of people forget that Steph even missed 9 games due to a tailbone injury which GS went 1-8! Steph had them at the 5th seed too before this injury as well. With a full season, I think Steph could’ve led GS to 47-50 wins that season, which he would’ve had a much higher chance at an MVP because by definition he was the MVP that year…..

[@TwoWay-xX]

He still is impossible to guard

[@4ktkaram395]

He’s sadly washed now

[@kjjr3270]

​@@4ktkaram395 if 26 ppg with 41% from 3 on 12 attemps is washed to you, you should never speak on anything basketball related in your life.

[@HoopsRaccoon]

@@kjjr3270please don’t respond to him he just wants attention

[@OblivionDragma]

@@kjjr3270real

[@prince-bm4xt]

@@4ktkaram39527 points per game is washed? All curry needs is a decent roster

[@sppindrgreen1981]

I love the way you broke down this video. You broke him down in a way if few others have to really explain what he was doing. The chef's kiss would have been his passing, which is top tier as well, and also the effect of his gravity, which allows other people on his team to score at will because of him

[@alreadytookenname]

Prime curry didn't even have the prettiest jumpshot, that's how insane the duo was.

[@peezydabeatmonster8112]

Lol far from pretty its basic

[@kingdj3068]

It’s always fun and interesting to learn about these unguardable players like curry, lebron, jokic. It would be very interesting to see how teams have (somewhat) successfully guarded these type of players. A series about stopping the unstoppable (ex. The nets vs Celtics series a few years ago where the Celtics held KD)

[@RIPJimmyA7X]

Curry is the most well rounded offensive player ever, there is literally nothing he doesnt do at an elite level offensively

[@catj3179]

We need a compilation of all the non-calls for and ones in his career... Dyt

[@earlgerardcanlobo939]

do one with 2000 Shaq

[@kjjr3270]

Don't think we need a video tbh

[@Domnd21]

A shaq video would be great

[@ghastlyfloaters]

Bro that video would be fun

[@ghastlyfloaters]

Prime Ray allen next

[@Himmyjewett]

Dropstep the video

[@Goxilla]

I remember when the Warriors dominated the league in 2015/16 with their new win record. I´ve watched a couple of games that were really close but it was always Steph or Klay who could turn it on when ever they wanted. The game against OKC was the best example. I believe OKC was the only team in the west that stood a chance against GSW that year and Curry hit a ridiculous 3 pointer to kill them. It was like they couldn´t be beaten that year but they ultimately lost against Cleveland in the finals

[@juhokorhonen80]

Eventhough steph was an absolute beast in 2015-2017, i would have to disagree with you and say his best season (clearly in my eyes) was 2021-2022 when he won his fourth title

[@cookn6732]

One of his worse regular seasons

[@JuliettKilo]

2020-21 Curry is definitely the best, but GSW wasn't ready to fight for a champion at that year unfortunately.

[@juhokorhonen80]

@@cookn6732 with all due respect you eighter dont know basketball or didnt watch the actual games if you say that. Curry dominated every crucial minute and even dray said that since he got more bulk he was more suited to take the team on his back and get the w than ever before

[@juhokorhonen80]

The fact that curry managed to get the title that year is one of the most impressive rings in reacent memory (propably best accomplishment since dirk and dallas in 2011)

[@brianmacleod4649]

Dope video. Incredible perspective on Steph. Dude is unreal. Highest offensive ceiling ever.

[@n813productions2]

Great breakdown! Awesome series. Can you also do why these players are not as effective as their primes today? Perhaps reasons such as age, injuries, defense improving, etc. it would paint a more complete picture on these players ❤

[@user-ce9yl6bs9k]

Wardell is just different 🔥🔥☄️

[@lamb9393]

this analysis is a masterpiece

[@justtimes9257]

To me the best of Steph Curry was in 2021 if we're talking about a regular season, but his best post was 2022 in my opinion

[@thasneemrizvi]

We are so here

[@sytsmr]

Timo Cruz started the transition 3 🤣

[@Eleuthero5]

Excellent analysis!! I enjoyed it! It's nice to hear about Curry's game without the ball and how he punished over-guarding. If you tried getting up in his grille he ends up blowing by you and exploiting slow bigs for a layup. Even his passing is very unsung. He's not a ball hog like, say, Allen Iverson.

[@Jade2k23]

Oh we got a mug today huh 😂 appreciate the content my guy

[@boyeakinode1620]

No bs ur my favorite KZbinr rn

[@ghost-nj7qy]

My favorite player of all time

[@gabrielsigler30]

Was waiting for this one

[@user-cs7qe9tu6n]

2:32 was nasty 😭

[@SomPrince]

2021 Curry was the best imo

[@adubis4567]

HOOPVENUE PLEASE TELL ME IF LEBRON WAS BETTER IN 2009 OR 2018

[@AkshatYewale-up8sk]

2018

[@AJAlvarez78]

2018 not even close

[@abdoulm.sorofino2642]

In 2018 he was also 33 to 34 years old 😮

[@frz_-]

Right out the blue BANGGGG before the kd vid

[@tommyfortune]

I refuse to believe Steph is out of his prime

[@HieroCrew420]

As a warriors fan, I can’t co sign on the high level ball security for Steph… his handle is amazing, but he has so many turnovers from wild and risky passes. Great video, much more analytical than I was expecting!

[@AllStarKydd]

That’s not what he’s referring to when he says ball security. Ball security is how a player protects the ball as they navigate through traffic on the dribble.

[@HieroCrew420]

@@AllStarKydd ok thanks for clarifying that. I had a feeling that that was the case

[@utubekebs]

Best shooter God ever created. Top 3 All Time. Without a doubt.

[@xcvsumextra]

He still is

[@Rizzstrainingorder837]

Love your vids👍

[@harrisontull8377]

Jokic might have something to say about calling Steph the most efficient scorer ever.

[@rome5123]

The only problem with the prime steph is the way he handles pressure and especially double team. But he continouosly worked on his game, proved everybody wrong. How he dominates the 2022 championship, and his winning shots today game after game.

[@bigbangbasketball]

Having to watch steph hit a GAME WINNING 30 ft 3 pointer in OKC live still give me nightmares

[@adubis4567]

I LOVE HOOPVENUE

[@stephennewberry9815]

He still is impossible to guard And HE won the US the gold at the Olympics. Probably because he was also crowned Clutch player of the season 2024. Stephs still a class of his own. If anything, He's even harder to guard today imo

[@quasarsky]

Didnt watch the olympics did we?

[@TheJas7271]

Great video👍👍👍 Steph is the 2nd best player after MJ. We will never see another like him. once a life time talent.

[@thekidshere6955]

I saw that OKC game in person😭

[@szyba3623]

there is huge mistake in the title, why prime Steph IS impossible to guard

[@mc2198ron]

Brodie said my great city Chicago like the murder rate ain't averaging double digits

[@paris5831]

The shit that he does is mind blowing I still can’t comprehend. What the fuck I’m watching. 😂

[@bamiseogundipe]

Scheming for prime warriors had to be absolute hell lmao

[@rickyisme1230]

The thing more impressive than Prime Steph is the evolution of your content throughout the years. Definitely one of the best hoop breakdown channel on the internet 🙏 Enjoy your video as always 👍

[@lalremruatpuiarenthlei4665]

Nah Steph is more impressive😂😂😂 respectfully. He is 35 yr old and still extremely good.

[@kwesisgh]

Timothy who...

[@playcost]

Do why prime Kyrie was impossible to guard

[@abtocool6350]

Prime or peak?, because I think his prime has been from his last year in Cleveland to now and I think his peak has been from 2021-2024.

[@playcost]

@@abtocool6350 Either one. Peak he's less flashy but more efficient with his moves

[@abtocool6350]

@@playcost The most entertaining version of him to me was 2011-2014 before lebron came back, there was a highlight every game😂

[@fluff975]

what happened to your top 100 all time video series HV?

[@BlueiayYT]

At 2:45 who is the person shot 13 threes on 35%? Harden?

[@alecxanderorbigo390]

Most likely

[@BlueiayYT]

@@alecxanderorbigo390 He had to start driving to the basket or pass because of that bad efficiency. That Rockets system would work better if they look for the best opportunities even if they keep out mid range

[@pedromdcc13]

35% isn't bad efficiency at 13 shots

[@BlueiayYT]

@@pedromdcc13 But that the point. He would shoot better on lower shots. The team efficiency lower because his is lower.

[@pedromdcc13]

@@BlueiayYT I'll need you to rephrase, I didn't understand if it's good he's taking those shots or bad, but I remember those offenses as being historically great.

[@Rlo09]

2013 may not have been his prime but that 54 point game has to be one of the greatest performances OAT if we talking percentage wise.

[@abdoulm.sorofino2642]

He was 25 some people consider people at that age to be in their primes. He averaged almost 23 points per game that year along with leading a Young warriors squad to the second round against a much more experienced spurs team only 2 wins away from the wcf. He also hit the most amount of threes in the 2013 season. I think this is one of the most underrated seasons of Stephen curry’s career. People often think he was injury prone in 2013 but he played 78 games. The year before yes he was injured.

[@abdoulm.sorofino2642]

2013 is one of the most underrated season of steph curry’s career. He was only averaging 1 less point than his 2015 mvp season in 2013. Im not happy the stats from that year did not appeared in the video.

[@Jarsu-c6j]

okay fine hes good

[@Etcher3]

Greatest Offensive player ever

[@wtlcw1oo8]

Was? Still is....

[@EtiandroRosa]

his shooting is still ridiculous

[@Pd2300x]

Was?

[@savageliltman2707]

What happened to the high arching layup

[@Nuthinnull]

Do frobe defence video

[@frz_-]

What makes you take 15 > 18? injuries and the league catching up?

[@soradps]

18 was a better offensive player but he got injured and had a shortened season. 15 was also better defensively

[@user-go7kh7ih7f]

Why the fuck people still talking like curry ain’t in his prime when every year with not so good a team is still able to produce at the level he dose yall mfs really do need to put more respect on this cuddis name

[@HoopVenue]

Steph’s one of my favorite players ever. His individual numbers (especially as an on-ball scorer) aren’t anywhere near where they used to be and that’s okay! Totally normal for a 36 year old to not be playing at a peak level.

[@wedabestradi096]

Steph still plays at a very high level he just needs a new set of solid teamates

[@soleil3gs]

Steph Curry is the greatest offensive Player ever

[@user-ej1ge1py5o]

Best offensive player oat

[@selloutsosa]

Whats his floater% gotta be crazy high

[@sedlyholmes3722]

Just imagine if curry didn't hold back in 2017-2019 because of KD

[@shaulyehudah29]

*is

[@ulovil]

Why WAS?

[@boibng7861]

Do KD next

[@vladimirsempio2134]

Which one? Prime 23 or prime 33 years old

[@Daz555Daz]

Was? He still is.

[@ginzo11]

2:51 who tf is shooting 11 pull up 3s per game

[@SDesWriter]

24.5ppg. Not sure how you define incredible production but that wouldn’t be the phrase I would use. I mean you realize Kevin Durant has a much higher shooting percentage and averages 27 a game for his career, right? You realize he shoots 60% from the post area and 42% from the three-point line and lower than that from just inside halfcourt, right? Hyperbole doesn’t help your argument

[@mxchael9931]

its rather simple of why hes hard to guard- players were taught to zone up on the weakside to provide help on defense in which curry counters with all the movements. remember that's whats players have been taught when their player gives up the ball, thinking that the you done your job of getting the ball out of your hands but steph just taking advangte of that flaw and using it for greatness *chess

[@ledgnr197gaming5]

We need a Gordon Hayward vid now that he retired

[@marccasado9663]

"was" or "is"?

[@AskDrLinqShorts]

Was?

[@howarddavis3517]

He played with too many offensive threats🤷🏿‍♂️

[@Slutherout]

What, he had his 2nd best offensive season in 21 while he was playing with g league players n Draymond

[@Slutherout]

The only actual threat on offence Steph played with consistently was klay 💀 he had kd for 3 years 💀 10% of his career, lebron, kd, harden, kayrie have been on super teams they whole career

[@Slutherout]

Yo ur the definition of 🤡 have u looked in the mirror recently? U should try watching this video with sound next time, he answers ur question

[@sirris4330]

If steph could defend like jordan/lebron hed be top 3 all time for sure, not even a question... maybe even number 1, of course this is just a fantasy just for fun

[@slimetruck]

“Prime” Steph He’s still impossible to guard, he’s barely declined

[@4ktkaram395]

That looks like 2025 Trae young

[@sppindrgreen1981]

Lol

[@JOHNNYPMUSIC]

Better scorer at their peak Kobe or Steph & why?

[@TheGamingShogun]

Probably Kobe

[@kennn30]

I'd go with Kobe cause although Steph is the GOAT shooter, he will still have bad shooting nights. He can't postup or use his body as much to score in the paint like Kobe can even if his shot is off

[@kjjr3270]

Steph a better scorer cmon now.

[@TheGamingShogun]

@@kjjr3270 nah not with Kobe when he averaged 35 with like 4 50+ point games straight

[@Axel_2K]

@@kennn30 did you watch the video with your eyes closed? the only reason any of the things steph does work is because of his insane efficiency

[@mascafierros]

He was better in real life than he was in 2k 😂

[@moislord]

shid even the game can’t completely imitate the real life curry shi crazy

[@wnc2004]

2015-2021 😂

[@abdoulm.sorofino2642]

*2013-2019 (age 25 to 31 Steph Curry)

[@Keanducusin]

Just hope he misses which he never did in his prime

[@URNEXTCISO]

Curry's prime is from 2020

[@abdoulm.sorofino2642]

In the 2020 season curry was injured and he was 32 years old just outside the years were many people are considered in their primes with age. For a successful nba player at 32 years old they still have a few years of good productivity tho and steph curry is still accumulating success at age 36.

[@wormhole_cl]

Was????

[@denvilleklockner]

Most unguardable at their primes must be prime harden

[@calebmartin1917]

Would u consider Embiid a top 10 scorer ever? Since 2022 he’s led the league in scoring rate while being well above league average %

[@TheGamingShogun]

Probably not due to the sheer amount of great scorers in history. Insanely effective but still has holes in his offense

[@kjjr3270]

Embiid could definitely be considerd a Top 10 scorer ever, prolly already is. He is definitely one of the best big scorers ever.

[@freebandgeneral]

he needs more volume of translating/rising the elite scoring in the playoffs for that statement to be validated (obviously barring context)

[@not-dbl-S]

Put why chris paul is a good player