Steph Curry: Undeniable Greatness in 3 Takes

Steph Curry with Alan Olsen, CPA

Having met Steph Curry in person, I think I can offer an opinion which might make sense to some.  Namely, very few NBA players are undeniable great.  If you ask any 10 highly informed NBA aficionados to list the top 10 greatest players of all time, you’ll get at least 25 different lists.  It’s impossible to prove any one list as definitively correct.  However, there are a few NBA records that when considered, reflect on the holder as undeniably great!

One such record is for the most 3-point shots made in the NBA.  As of today, this record belongs to Wardell Stephen Curry II.  And although records are meant to be broken, this one will likely forever be held by Steph, or someone who credits him with changing the game, thereby enabling them and all future record holders to achieve that goal as well.

Shades of grey and personal bias will obscure most any attempts to subjectively define NBA greatness.  But this specific record, 3-point shots made, especially considering his efficiency, lends itself particularly well to cementing Steph Curry in the annals of the NBA as one of the greatest to ever play the game.  And a deserving fan favorite as well.  This is proved by chants of “MVP” and cheers in opposing team’s arenas as each made-three got Steph closer to, now past, this coveted record.  Understandable, especially in consideration of the following 3 takes:

  1. Steph’s stature. When considering most players in the NBA, or many other sport for that matter, all-time greats, such as Wilt and Lebron (often know by just one name) are arguably a unique and unworldly combination of athleticism, intelligence, strength and enormous height (a distinct advantage in the NBA).  By all accounts, when Steph was considering where to play college ball, except for Davidson, no other college had interest in him.  This, despite his father Dell having played in the NBA for over a decade!  Steph’s intelligence and high basketball IQ were about the only commonalities with the likes of Wilt and Lebron, both physical specimens as early as Jr. high.  Steph looks more like everyone else than a professional basketball player, and that makes him relatable.

 

  1. His Leadership. He is the only unanimous MVP in the history of the NBA, period.  And yet, also universally well- liked, respected, and cared about by his teammates.  He cares more about winning than his personal stats, or his appearance.  He helped his team win a championship without Kevin Durant, then gladly deferred when necessary, by adjusting his game, so his team could win more championships with Kevin Durant.  And this year yet again, Steph’s team is considered by many as a contender to win another championship.  Without Kevin Durant and against several “super teams” which many considered superior than Steph’s Golden State Warriors.

 

  1. Steph’s dedication and humility. Despite being the son of a famous father, raised in affluence, and being his own self-made billionaire, Steph’s ethics keep him working hard and treating others with a surprising degree of kindness for someone in his very expensive shoes. It’s not a question of remembering where he came from, it’s about an impressive self-awareness which allows him to stay grounded.  He clearly understands how fortunate he is and chooses to be dedicated to his craft and courteous to others.  A sort of self-imposed credo he lives by that would, quite honestly, benefit us all.

 

So, we can all debate, and talking heads will, where Steph Curry fits on the list of the best NBA players of all time.  But his greatness is undeniable.  As for me, I simply choose to enjoy the example he is to all he meets, my kids specifically, and acknowledge he’s nothing short of a blessing to his fans, his teammates, and anyone whose character would benefit from a little more humility and kindness.  Wouldn’t we all?

We hope you found this article about Steph Curry, Undeniable Greatness in 3 Takes enjoyable.  If you have questions or need expert tax or family office advice that’s refreshingly objective (we never sell investments), please contact us or visit our Family office page  or our website at www.GROCO.com.  Unfortunately, we no longer give advice to other tax professionals gratis.

To receive our free newsletter, contact us here.

Considerately yours,

GROCO, GROCO Tax, GROCO Technology, GROCO Advisory Services, GROCO Consulting Services, GROCO Relationship Services, GROCO Consulting/Advisory Services, GROCO Family Office Wealth, and GROCO Family Office Services.

Posted in

Tax S-corporation

Saving Taxes with an S Corporation An S corporation election allows the shareholders to preserve the benefit of limited liability for the corporate form while at the same time being treated as partners for federal income tax purposes. Ever wondered why so many small businesses operate as an S corporation? Simple. An S corporation saves…

Sec1045 Partnership

Sec1045 Partnerships

Sec1045 Partnerships This document contains final regulations relating to the application of section 1045 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) to partnerships and their partners. These regulations provide rules regarding the deferral of gain on a partnership’s sale of qualified small business stock (QSB stock) and a partner’s sale of QSB stock distributed by a…

Sec179 Businessequipment

Updated: 11/12/10 Most new business equipment can be either depreciated over its useful life or expensed immediately under Internal Revenue Code Section 179. The maximum deduction is based on the following schedule for the date in which the tax year begins. Each 1040, whether Single or Joint, is limited to one maximum. 179 expenses passed…

Sec1244 Small Business Stock Sales

Sec1244 Small Business Stock Sales

Sec1244 Small Business Stock Sales Section 1244 of the Internal Revenue Code, the small business stock provision, was enacted to allow shareholders of domestic small business corporations to deduct as ordinary losses, losses sustained when they dispose of their small business stock. In order to receive this beneficial treatment, the Code prescribes specific requirements for:…