Stephen Curry’s shooting remains as sharp as ever, according to Kevon Looney, who will face his former Golden State Warriors teammate in Tuesday’s NBA preseason game between the Lakers and Warriors. Looney, now with the Lakers after signing a one-year, $3.9 million contract this offseason, praised Curry’s ability to make difficult shots and the challenge that comes with defending him.
Looney was part of the Warriors’ championship teams during their dominant run and spent the first ten seasons of his career alongside Curry. Ahead of their matchup, he described the defensive approach needed to contain the four-time NBA champion. “He’s a guy that you got to make him work, make everything tough, make sure he sees the body at all times,” Looney said. “He’s going to make some difficult shots. You can’t put your head down, but you got to keep grinding and make a tough one.”
Curry holds the all-time record for most 3-pointers made, a milestone he reached in December 2021 while Looney was still with the Warriors. He currently stands at 4,248 career 3-pointers and will enter his 18th NBA season this year.
The Warriors are coming off a narrow 104-101 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in Hawaii on Sunday, setting the stage for what promises to be a competitive preseason clash against the Lakers. Looney’s knowledge of Curry’s style, gained from a decade of playing alongside him, adds an intriguing subplot to the game.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler, who joined the Warriors and is set to return this season from a torn ACL, has called Curry the greatest player he’s ever played with. Butler’s NBA career spans over a decade and includes stints with the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat. On Media Day, he said, “I’m super blessed to be able to play for some amazing organizations with some Hall of Fame players, and I can say I am probably with the greatest player that I’ve ever played with right now on this team, for the greatest organization.”
Curry’s contract situation has also been in the spotlight recently. After turning down a $136.7 million extension, he later signed a $116 million deal with the Warriors. This contract allows him significant freedom as the $62.5 million deal nears its end, confirming his commitment to the franchise moving forward.
The Warriors’ season will see Curry aiming to add to his legacy while adapting to a team reshaped by new additions like Butler and the departure of veterans such as Looney. The Lakers, meanwhile, will test their new roster against a Warriors squad led by one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. The preseason game on Tuesday is set to offer fans a glimpse of how these storylines will unfold.
According to Yahoo Sports.