US basketball

Dirk Nowitzki calls Stephen Curry a game changer of the NBA

Martin Mendoza

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Dirk Nowitzki calls Stephen Curry a game changer of the NBA

ALL-TIME BEST. Steph Curry shatters a league record.

Cary Edmondson/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

‘He changed the game, he makes it look too easy,’ says Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki of Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry

“Best shooter I’ve ever seen.”

That’s exactly how Dallas Mavericks legend and one of the NBA’s 75 greatest players Dirk Nowitzki described Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry, who just became the NBA’s new three-point king after breaking the record for most career-three pointers made.

On Tuesday, December 14 (Wednesday, December 15, Manila time), Curry shot 5-of-14 from beyond the arc in the Warriors’ 105-96 victory over the New York Knicks, leaving the Madison Square Garden with 2,977 career three-pointers – surpassing Hall of Famer Ray Allen’s mark of 2,973.

And for Nowitzki, who was also one of the league’s deadliest shooters during his illustrious 21-year career with the Mavericks from 1998-2019, he believes no other current NBA player can eclipse Curry’s remarkable feat anytime soon.

“Well, I don’t think there’s anybody in sight now that can break his (Curry’s) record,” Nowitzki told reporters during a global media conference call on Tuesday, December 14, Manila time, ahead of the NBA’s second annual Jersey Day. 

“I mean, the way he’s been – at the clip that he’s shooting now is just fantastic and fun to watch,” added the one-time NBA champion and one-time league Most Valuable Player Nowitzki.

This season, the 33-year-old Curry, who is also part of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team, is currently averaging 26.9 points on 39.9% shooting from deep, to go along with 5.5 rebounds and 6.1 assists for the Warriors, who are sitting at No. 1 in the Western Conference with a 23-5 record.

But more than the numbers, Nowitzki considers Curry a game changer as the latter revolutionized how the game was played and paved the way for the younger players to take shots from way beyond the three-point arc.

“He’s changed the game to where these kids now shoot from and consistently shoot way, way behind the three-point line,” said Nowitzki.

“We have guys now pulling up just after half court… stuff that you would have never seen when I started to play.”

“He changed the game, he makes it look too easy. He’s the best shooter I’ve ever seen and I think it’s clear he is the best catch-and-shoot player,” he added.

In the end, Nowitzki heaped more praise on the three-time NBA champion and two-time league MVP Curry, whom he also describes as a player who is very relatable and “easy” to root for.

“Everybody can root for him because he’s not super athletically gifted, and he’s a smaller guy,” said Nowitzki of Curry.

“I think everybody can relate to him, he’s a super nice guy. He’s, of course, easy, easy to root for.” – Rappler.com

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