Early in his career, Curry was targeted on defense due to his slight frame and ankle injuries. This reputation stuck, but his reality shifted. In his prime years, Curry became an above-average defender. He leads the league in steals periodically, has quick hands in passing lanes, and holds his own in the post against larger guards.
As of April 2026, Curry continues to defy age-related expectations. His performance in the recent 2025–26 season demonstrates that his impact hasn't waned:
He ultimately chose Davidson College , where he transformed from an overlooked prospect into a household name during a historic 2008 NCAA tournament run. "Stephen Curry: Underrated" (2023 Documentary) Stephen Curry- Underrated
Director Peter Nicks interweaves two timelines masterfully:
It was not an outlier. It was a revolution. Early in his career, Curry was targeted on
: A personal subplot follows Curry fulfilling a promise to his mother by completing his Bachelor’s degree in sociology 13 years after entering the NBA. The 2022 Championship
The problem is that we grade defense on "lockdown" ability. Curry is not a lockdown guy. He is a system defender—smart, physical, disruptive. He is the point guard version of a safety in football. He breaks up plays before they happen. He leads the league in steals periodically, has
George Mikan (big man dominance). Inflection Point 2: Bill Russell (defense and winning). Inflection Point 3: Michael Jordan (global icon and scoring title). Inflection Point 4: LeBron James (physical versatility and longevity). Inflection Point 5: Stephen Curry (the three-point revolution and space).