In the NBA, one of the most talked about topics is the GOAT conversations. Everyone in the NBA world has their own opinions about the greatest players and who is on their top 5 or top 10 lists. Hence, naturally when an analyst expresses their opinion it certainly becomes a topic of discussion.
Mad Dog Russo recently on ESPN’s First Take show shared his opinion on the inclusion of Stephen Curry in his Top 5 list. After being asked if Curry is in Russo’s Top 5 list, he said he doesn’t. He said he cannot make him Top 5 if he has Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlin, Bill Russell, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan.
He continued by saying that he has not even mentioned Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Tim Duncan, and Shaquille O’Neal who would be the next on his list. But what caught people’s attention was what he said next. He said,
He’s not even better than [Kevin] Durant. And I have to put Durant in the Top 10. He’s a nice shooter. Nobody’s arguing with that.
“I got Kareem, Wilt and [Bill] Russell and LeBron and [Michael] Jordan [in my top 5]… How in the world could [Steph Curry] be top 5? He’s not even better than [Kevin] Durant… He’s a nice shooter. Nobody’s arguing with that.”
Agree with Mad Dog? 🤔pic.twitter.com/Q9gxZJWJ3R
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 14, 2024
Stephen A. Smith was shocked at Mad Dog’s take. Steph Curry is considered the greatest shooter that this game has seen and one of the best Point Guards ever. Being a four-time champion and MVP in the past, based on the impact he has had on the game it is disrespectful to call Curry just a nice shooter.
Mad Dog Russo does not think Steph Curry is the Best Point Guard
Back in August, Steph Curry made a bold statement and called himself the greatest point guard ever. This sparked debates in the NBA world. The opinions were divided as some agreed with Curry and others completely disagreed and claimed that Earvin “Magic” Johnson was the greatest point guard of all time.
Steph Curry with Magic Johnson (Image via Sporting News)Mad Dog Russo belonged to the second category. He said Curry is not even in the same discussion. He is a wonderful shooter but not on the same level as Johnson when it comes to other point guard abilities.
That is blasphemy to put him in Magic Johnson’s category. Magic Johnson, you could argue, is a top three player in the history of the National Basketball Association.
When it comes to stats, Magic Johnson’s rebounding, passing, and stealing stands out. Curry’s average in points is better than Johnson’s. Steph might be the greatest shooter of all time but being the greatest point guard of all time might be arguable.
