Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry has cemented himself as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. The four-time NBA champion is a one-time NBA Finals MVP, a two-time MVP, a 10-time All-Star, and a two-time scoring champion. This is among many other accolades. Additionally, Curry is arguably the greatest three-point shooter in league history. Furthermore, he will comfortably retire as the league’s all-time three-point leader. However, in spite of his greatness, former MVP and current TNT analyst Charles Barkley still would not choose him over former “Bad Boy” Isiah Thomas.
As a guest on “The Dan Patrick Show,” Barkley said he would take the Detroit Pistons legend over Curry.
“I got nothing but respect for Isiah because like I said, he’s the best little [player] until Steph Curry came along, and I’ll be honest with you, if I was in a game, if I had to choose — and I love Steph Curry and I know people gonna go on the internet because they ain’t got no life — if I had to choose between Steph Curry and Isiah, I’d probably go with Isiah in a scenario. But I love Steph, I love Isiah. But if I had one guy, if I had to choose between those two, I’m not going to ever choose against Isiah.”
In his 13-year NBA career, Thomas built a legitimate resume. Thomas was a two-time NBA champion, a one-time NBA Finals MVP, a 12-time All-Star, a five-time All-NBA selection, and a one-time assists leader. Additionally, “Zeke” is a Basketball Hall of Famer after his induction in 2020.
Charles Barkley Would Choose 2x Champion Over Stephen Curry
Isiah Thomas Believes Stephen Curry is Not a Point Guard
In a March episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” Thomas said he believed Green was the true point guard of the team, not Curry.
“On the Golden State Warriors, you are the point guard,” Thomas said to Draymond Green. “You have more assists than Steph. You bring the ball up. You initiate the offense. You set the defense. You run the show. Steph comes off the screens, he catches, and he shoots, and he’s one of the greatest shooters ever.”
Additionally, Thomas mentioned that Curry tries to style his game after prolific shooters like Ray Allen and Reggie Miller.
“I won a different way,” Thomas said. “As a point guard, I led my team, and I may be the only one who’s done this, as a point guard, I’ve led my team in scoring and assists to back-to-back championships. When I look at Steph, when he talks about the people that he’s emulated, he talks about Reggie Miller. He talks about Ray Allen.”
.@IsiahThomas gives @Money23Green his GOAT point guard opinion 👀 pic.twitter.com/Yg1UU8uE6s
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) March 12, 2024
The Last Word on Isiah Thomas and Stephen Curry
Thomas remains one of the greatest point guards in league history for a reason. His playmaking and overall passing ability are legendary. However, Curry is the more accomplished and, arguably, the more talented player as well. Of course, it is tough to compare two legends who played in separate eras. While “The Round Mound of Rebound” clearly favors the player he directly went up against, it is certainly a bold opinion either way.