Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Why is the Big O Criticizing Curry?
The past week, Hall of Fame Guard Oscar Robertson took some shots at Stephen Curry, the NBA's reigning MVP and current scoring leader. It's not the first time in history a former player has criticized something about the game in the modern era, but it's curious he would pick a time when Curry and his Golden State Warriors are in the process of rewriting the record books to make his comments. As things stand now, Curry is at the top of the NBA MVP odds list for sportsbooks brave enough to post it.
So why is he saying the things he's saying? The answer is complicated because it has so many layers. However, the comments came off as bitter and warrant a least a little scrutiny. To begin with, it's important to understand that Robertson is NBA royalty. Often mentioned as one of the top six or seven players in league history, people are generally interested in what he has to say.
All Robertson did during his career was win one NBA championship, win one MVP, a 12-time all-star with three All-Star Game MVPs, nine-time All-NBA First Team, 6th on the all-time assist list, 11th on the all-time scoring list and during the 1961-62 season, he became the only player in NBA history average a triple-double with 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists. Perhaps more importantly, Robertson sued the league for its reserve clause and became the first player in league history to earn the right to become a free agent, changing the game forever.
However misguided, that kind of career earns the right to speak. At the core, Robertson's comments about Curry being overrated would seem to stem from his possible feeling that he is becoming irrelevant. While it's true he is not the flavor of the day, Curry's accomplishments do nothing to diminished what Robertson did during his amazing career. Nor should Robertson be so quick to try to diminish what Curry is doing. Especially as Curry and the Warriors are well on their way to breaking all kinds of records.
It's nearly impossible to compare the two player's games. At 6'5" and 220 lbs, Robertson was a big physical point guard. Three times, he led the league in rebounding, That's correct. He led the league in rebounding as a point guard. By comparison, Curry prefers to play on the perimeter where he has learned to shoot the ball with deadly accuracy. In fact, his use of the three-point shot to rack up points seems to be a point of contention. In the "Big O's" day, the three-point shot was used as an afterthought, not a weapon. Today, it's an integral part of the game.
Another point of criticism comes from the notion that defenses are soft today. Well yes, teams don't play defense with the same intensity as yesteryear. However, that's hardly the fault of today's players. Rule changes (see hand-checking) throughout the years have opened the game up a bit. Then again, anyone watching Curry play will note how physically defenses are playing him as far as 30-feet out on the court. It kind of looks like the old NBA.
Here's a suggestion for Oscar. You will never be forgotten as evidenced by the fact you were included on the 50th anniversary Best 50-player team. Should you move down a notch on the list because of Curry, it will be because of what he accomplished, not because of anything that you did. Like you, he is changing the game. Your game was being a big man with the skills to dominate the point guard position, aka Magic Johnson. Curry is changing the game by showing how powerful a tool being able to shoot the ball from 30-feet can be. In the fan's eyes and hearts, there is plenty of room for both of you.
It doesn't take an expert to make NBA award predictions and pencil in Curry for another MVP. In fact, any posted NBA MVP odds has him listed as "odds-on" to take the title. NBA award predictions aside, the NBA is an elite fraternity of brothers who share a unique talent. Everyone would be better off if they simply celebrated each other accomplishments.