Stephen Curry: The Three Best Defenders He's Played Against

Stephen Curry reveals the top three toughest defenders he's faced: Jrue Holiday, Tony Allen, and Ron Artest.

A few months ago, Stephen Curry, the star player for the Golden State Warriors, opened up about the three toughest defenders he has ever faced. Defending Curry for an entire game is an incredibly challenging task. Not only does he have an exceptional handle, but he also utilizes screens to constantly move around the court, making it difficult for defenders to keep up. Even former teammate Juan Toscano-Anderson admitted that guarding Curry is nearly impossible once he gets into his zone. JR Smith even joked that Matthew Dellavedova "died" trying to defend Curry during the 2015 finals. It's clear that Curry poses a significant challenge for any defender.

However, Curry himself acknowledges that he can be stopped and occasionally loses his matchups. In an interview with the Today Show, Curry revealed the top three players who have given him the most problems throughout his career: Jrue Holiday, Tony Allen, and Ron Artest. According to Curry, whenever these players were on the court, a "light bulb" went off, indicating the difficulty he faced. Curry also praised Artest's incredible hand strength, stating that he would easily smack the ball out of anyone's hand.

It's not surprising that these three names came up. Holiday, known for his exceptional defense, has been named to five all-defensive teams and is widely regarded as one of the best perimeter defenders in the game today. Allen, who was named to six all-defensive teams, received the ultimate compliment from Kobe Bryant, who acknowledged him as the best defender he has ever faced. Artest, despite being named to only four all-defensive teams, was the only one among the three to be named Defensive Player of the Year.

But are there any other defenders who could potentially stop Curry? The answer is a resounding no. Curry's offensive prowess is unmatched, and he has faced this question countless times before. In a 2022 GQ Sports interview, Curry revealed that his younger brother, Seth Curry, played the best defense on him due to his familiarity with his game. He also mentioned Avery Bradley and Tony Allen as other players who could effectively lock him down.

In conclusion, defending Stephen Curry is an incredibly challenging task, as he possesses exceptional skills and offensive firepower. While he has faced tough defenders throughout his career, including Jrue Holiday, Tony Allen, and Ron Artest, Curry's offensive abilities make him nearly unstoppable. Even his own brother and players like Avery Bradley have found it difficult to effectively defend him. Curry's impact on the game is undeniable, and his ability to score at will continues to amaze fans and opponents alike.