For years, Stephen Curry has hesitated to proclaim himself the greatest shooter of all time. He has too much respect for the sharpshooters before him, the ones that paved the way.
But now, it’s official. Curry is the NBA’s 3-point king. He can finally, officially claim the crown.
“I got that, baby,” Curry said as he shot his hands up in the air at the postgame press conference podium.
Then, wearing a matching sweatshirt and hat that said 2,974 and counting, Curry walked away. On to more 3s, more records and more moments like Tuesday. Because Curry, as his teammate Draymond Green said, may still be getting better. The “and counting” addendum to the record is the most important part.
Before he had the chance to change into the record-branded apparel, Curry traded jerseys with Ray Allen and Reggie Miller — two of his idols who each previously held the 3-point title — at midcourt. It capped a marvelous night for Curry, one full of hugs, tears, gifts and photos.
“It was a beautiful ending to this last week,” Curry said postgame.
“The night was perfect,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said. “It pretty much encapsulated who he is and his reaction to it was perfect.”
After the historic game, Curry gave a little speech to his team in the locker room. He reminded them that this doesn’t happen without them.
“I told them it’s been an amazing journey being a Warrior for 12-and-a-half years,” Curry said. “And all the guys that have set screens for me, all the guys who have passed me the ball, that have bought into the system — that creates that beautiful Warriors style of basketball. All that plays into this moment. So I hope they appreciate it as much as I do.”
The record-breaking shot — 3-pointer No. 2,974 — came off an Andrew Wiggins feed from the post. Passing the ball to history is something Wiggins said he’ll cherish and remember for the rest of his life. It’s also something he rarely does, Curry and Draymond Green joked postgame.
“Wiggins never passes out of that play,” Green said with a hint of salt that it wasn’t he who assisted the historic bucket. “Never.”
Green, who finished the game Tuesday with 11 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks, said he thinks Curry could still be getting better — “which is scary.” The forward predicted Curry will shatter this record by 1,000, meaning he’d have to sink roughly 4,000 career triples.
His forecast carries weight. Not many people have a better sense of Curry than Green, who’s been Curry’s teammate for all 10 of his NBA seasons. Every game, it seems like they read each other’s minds on offense during two-man actions.
To share the moment with Curry in Madison Square Garden and in front of so many people vital to Curry’s journey was an honor, Green said. But not everyone.
“I don’t think there’s any better place in the world for it to happen than Madison Square Garden,” Green said. “Very special. I think the only thing missing was Klay (Thompson) not being here. Just the road traveled to get here, Klay is a huge part of that. So if anything could’ve been different, it was that. But other than that, very, very special night for a special person. For a special player. It was great to be a part of.”