Kenny Smith says he doesn’t think Steph Curry could shoot as deep as Damian Lillard pic.twitter.com/xHa7JL0sdZ
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) August 19, 2020
Apparently Kenny Smith can’t remember what it’s like to watch Stephen Curry.
On the heels of another incredible Damian Lillard performance in Game 1 of the West Playoffs Tuesday night, one that unsurprisingly included a number of deep 3-pointers, Smith called into question Curry’s ability to do the same.
“I don’t think you can shoot as deep as him Steph,” Smith said. “I got to see it when you come back.”
How in jest the comment was is up for debate. Curry, however, took it seriously.
love you @TheJetOnTNT ….. but you trippin right now
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) August 19, 2020
Smith was quick to concede.
Man it’s been a long time I forgot ? https://t.co/93vQYTd8iF
— Kenny Smith (@TheJetOnTNT) August 19, 2020
It’s not just Curry’s opinion that flies in the fact of the narrative that Lillard is a better long-range shooter than Curry, the numbers back it up too.
From 2014-15 to January of last year, Curry made 45 of 94 shots from 30-35 feet, a staggering 47.9 shooting percentage. Lillard went 30 for 110 from the same distance, good for 27.2 percent.
Curry has been on the shelf for a while, but he’s still the king of the deep three until he shows otherwise.