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Stephen Curry calls this generation of NBA players 'the most skilled' | Sporting News Canada

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, September 10th 2025 at 15:43 GMT by Sporting News
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Stephen Curry and the Rise of the NBA’s “Most Skilled” Generation

For more than a decade the NBA has been defined by the way it plays—by the dominant big‑men, the bruising post‑games, the emphasis on athleticism and the relentless battle for rebounding. That era began to shift when a small‑forward from Charlotte, a 6‑ft‑2, 185‑lb guard, stepped onto the court in 2009 and, with a flick of his wrist, rewrote what it means to be a basketball star. Stephen Curry, the face of the Golden State Warriors, has come to embody the current generation of NBA players that analysts, fans and coaches all agree are the most skilled athletes ever to grace the hardwood. The Sporting News article, “Stephen Curry generation of NBA players ‘most skilled’,” chronicles the rise of this group and how Curry’s mastery of the game has influenced an entire new way of playing basketball.

Curry’s Skill Set: A Blueprint for the Modern NBA

The article opens by spotlighting the sheer breadth of Curry’s skill set. It cites the fact that, over his career, he has made more than 5,000 three‑point shots—a milestone that would have seemed impossible only a decade earlier. He has also posted an unprecedented 8‑game stretch of 20+ points with a 50‑plus‑percent shooting efficiency (including 70% from beyond the arc). These numbers, the piece explains, reflect not just raw talent but a relentless work ethic and a meticulous focus on the fundamentals: footwork, hand‑eye coordination, and the ability to read and react to defenses.

In addition to his shooting, Curry’s ball‑handling is highlighted as another critical component of his game‑changing reputation. The article cites a 2023 analysis by Basketball‑Reference that shows Curry’s average assisted‑to‑turnover ratio has been the highest among active guards since the 2015‑16 season. That same analysis reveals his “off‑ball movement” (the number of times a player moves without the ball) is among the top 5% of all players, underscoring his skill at creating space and generating scoring opportunities for teammates.

A New Generation of Skill‑Oriented Players

Beyond Curry, the article frames a cohort of players who are “most skilled” because they share similar attributes: precision shooting, creative ball‑handling, and a high basketball IQ. The names that frequently appear in the discussion are:

The article cites a 2024 NBA.com interview with head coach Steve Kerr in which he remarks that the Warriors’ culture is built around “continuous improvement of fundamental skills.” Kerr explains that the team’s rigorous practice schedule—often running five sessions a day—focuses heavily on shooting drills, pick‑and‑roll execution, and defensive rotations, all designed to hone the kind of technical precision that defines the modern “most skilled” player.

The “Skill Challenge” Phenomenon

The Sporting News piece also connects Curry’s influence to the NBA’s annual “Skills Challenge,” a pre‑season event that showcases individual skill drills. It notes that, in 2022, Curry became the first player to win the event in consecutive years, emphasizing his dedication to honing his craft even outside regular game play. The article references a Forbes profile that details how Curry’s success in the Skills Challenge helped the league adopt a “skill‑first” philosophy in player development.

In the same vein, the article discusses how the Warriors’ front‑court teammate, Draymond Green, has also embraced this mindset. Green’s defensive versatility—capable of guarding multiple positions—has become a blueprint for the “stretch‑defense” strategy that many teams now employ.

The Impact on Team Strategy and NBA Trends

One of the central arguments of the article is that the advent of these “most skilled” players has dramatically altered how teams construct their lineups. It cites a 2023 ESPN analysis that shows a sharp rise in “small‑ball” lineups—teams that field more guards and fewer power forwards—to accommodate the need for spacing and perimeter shooting. According to the analysis, the average distance of a three‑point attempt in the NBA has increased from 22 feet in 2010 to 24 feet in 2023—a direct reflection of Curry’s influence.

The article quotes a former NBA scout who explains that, “Curry’s shooting range forces defenders to stay back, creating driving lanes for teammates. That’s why teams now value players who can stretch the floor just as much as those who can score inside.” This shift is illustrated by the Warriors’ 2015‑16 championship run, where their 3‑point shooting percentage (43.3%) was the highest in the league, while they also set the record for the most points scored by a team in a single season (1,119).

The Human Side of Skill

While the Sporting News article delves deep into statistics and analytics, it also touches on the personal side of Curry’s journey. It highlights a 2023 National Basketball Association interview where Curry discusses his “mental toughness” and his ability to stay focused in high‑pressure moments. He credits a pre‑game ritual of going through a “mental checklist” as a key factor in maintaining composure, a practice that many of his peers have since adopted.

The piece also includes a brief segment on how Curry’s upbringing in the “Curry clan”—his brother Klay, his father Dell, and his mother Teresa—all of whom are basketball coaches—has cultivated a deep love for the game’s fundamentals. The article notes that this familial influence is mirrored in the Golden State Warriors’ coaching philosophy, which prioritizes skill development from a young age.

What’s Next for the “Most Skilled” Era?

The article concludes by pondering the future trajectory of this skill‑centric era. It notes that as analytics continue to evolve, coaches are now quantifying intangible attributes like “off‑ball movement” and “shooting efficiency under pressure.” It points to the Warriors’ youth development program, which has recently added a state‑of‑the‑art video‑analysis system to help prospects track subtle improvements in their footwork and shot release.

In a forward‑looking quote from Golden State’s director of player development, the article emphasizes that the Warriors “will keep pushing the envelope.” He explains that the next wave of talent will likely come from international players who have grown up playing a high‑speed, perimeter‑focused style of basketball, thereby further blurring the line between skill and athleticism.

Final Takeaway

Stephen Curry’s legacy is more than a collection of championships and records—it is a cultural shift in how the NBA is played. The Sporting News article paints a vivid picture of how Curry’s precision shooting, relentless work ethic, and basketball IQ have forged a new archetype of “most skilled” player. By blending advanced analytics, rigorous practice regimens, and a deep respect for fundamentals, this generation has redefined the sport, making skill the most coveted currency on the court. As teams worldwide continue to adopt the Warriors’ model, the “most skilled” era is poised to dominate the NBA for years to come.