5 Players that changed the NBA

Stephen Curry

Steph Curry - The Greatest 3 point shooter ever

Stephen Curry does not a social impact like the other aforementioned players, but he sure as hell changed the NBA.

The NBA today is a 3-Pointer driven league. Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors -brought this new style of play. In the 2008-09 season, the team that attempted the most 3 pointers attempted 28 shots was the New York Knicks and the team that attempted the fewest 3's, attempted 12 shots were the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the last season, Houston attempted almost 42 Three Pointers per game. 28 to 42 is a big number. The Warriors attempted 30 three-pointers per game and were still ranked 14th on the list of most three-pointers attempted by a team. 10 years ago, they would've been #1.

With Steph Curry in the team, the Golden State Warriors unleashed a small ball lineup of talented shooters who made 3 pointers consistently and were sweeping teams in the playoffs. Last season, Houston Rockets were forced to take more 3 pointers in order to stand a chance against Steph Curry and the Warriors. The NBA teams had to make adjustments in order to catch up with the Warriors. In order to compete, all the teams had to attempt more 3 pointers. Make no mistake, the Warriors adopted this style only because Curry is a shooter like we've never seen before.

Steph is breaking records. He's the best 3 point shooter we've ever seen. He's knocked down 13 three-pointers in a game. He made 9 pointers to break the record of most 3 pointers made in a Finals game. Steph Curry made 286 three-pointers in 2014-15. 324 in 2015-16. He broke his own record by making an astonishing and unbelievable 402 three-pointers in 2016-17 seasons. Numbers unheard of.

The impact isn't just limited to the NBA. There is a sharp rise in three-pointers attempted by NCAA teams as well. College athletes are pulling up 3's in transition and are letting it go from the half court. Kids are practising three's day in and day out. They don't want to play with their backs facing the ring. They don't want to practice post moves and learn the sky-hook. They want to make 3 pointers. Sure dunking a basketball will always be trendy but Steph Curry has almost single-handedly replaced the mid-court jumper (the bread and butter shot) with the 3 pointers.