Golden State Warriors star guard Stephen Curry has earned clear-cut recognition as one of the league’s greatest shooters and scorers. Curry garnered that reputation behind his tireless work to perfect his craft. Along the way, it’s led him to receive one particular compliment he loves hearing from opposing players.

Stephen Curry’s rise to NBA stardom

Through Curry‘s first 12 seasons, he’s strung together a first-ballot Hall of Fame career.

The Davidson product far exceeded his expectations and erased any doubt concerning his ability to play at the highest level. Curry has earned the reputation as arguably the league’s greatest shooter while guiding the Warriors to tremendous success.

The 33-year-old has won three NBA titles and two regular-season MVP awards, received seven All-Star selections and seven All-NBA Team nods. He’s also led the league in scoring twice while winning a pair of three-point contests. Curry holds numerous NBA records, such as most 3-pointers made in a single season (402), most consecutive games with a made 3-pointer (157), and most contests with 10-plus 3-pointers made (22).

He’s become the Warriors’ all-time leader in points, assists, and 3-pointers made while he’s the only player to win the MVP award unanimously. Curry is currently sitting second all-time with 2,832 three-pointers trailing Hall of Famer Ray Allen, which he will surpass this upcoming season.

His resume speaks for itself, but he finds most joy from a specific compliment he loves hearing from opponents.

Stephen Curry reveals the compliment he loves to hear most from defenders

Over the years, Curry has proven that he’s much more than a lights-out shooter as he’s become the total package scorer.

He’s become a dynamic factor with his ability to find multiple ways to put the ball in the basket. One of which is his work off the ball, as he’s been an elite factor in catch-and-shoot scenarios or moving toward the rim.

It’s the part of his game that he feels has slowed down most as he loves to hear opposing defenders complain about his non-stop work off the ball.

“Just being able to adjust to different defenses,” he told Tim Roye and Tom Tolbert via NBC Sports Bay Area. “Daylight seems to come few and far between, but when you do get it — being able to take advantage and attack when defenses slip up. That’s been the biggest thing as the years have gone on.

“The compliment I love is when guys tell me to stop running around so much when they’re defending me. That’s a testament to being in great shape and being able to play at that level for however long I’m out there.”

Curry has worked tirelessly to become a highly effective offensive factor far beyond his lethal 3-point shooting. It’s led him to develop into a significant offensive weapon behind his ability to get open away from the ball through screens and constant movement.

As he ages, it’s a part of his game that he will lean more heavily upon to remain an elite scorer.

Warriors’ future ahead remains bright

Although the Warriors finished far from NBA title contention last season, Curry‘s performance was a key reason for excitement concerning the future.

He’s coming off another MVP-caliber campaign, where he posted a league-best 32.0 points per game on 48.2% shooting from the floor and 42.1% from beyond the arc, along with 5.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds. Curry became the oldest player since Michael Jordan to secure a scoring title, while his 38 contests with at least 30 points scored last season are the most since the former Chicago Bulls great.

His stellar play led him to ink a four-year, $215.3 million extension that runs through the 2025-26 season. With Curry in place, the franchise holds a promising future ahead. Meanwhile, Golden State hopes Klay Thompson’s inevitable return next season can help push the team back toward contending for an NBA title.

Much will need to unfold first ahead, but it’s quite evident that the franchise sits in great hands with Curry leading the charge.

Contract figures courtesy of Spotrac.

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