Curry: Only 4 People in NBA Truly Influenced the World, I'm Not Qualified Yet!
The NBA has become the highest level of basketball competition not only because of its massive scale and successful commercialization but also largely due to the existence of superstar players. With their exceptional skills and personal charm, these superstars have accelerated the development of basketball and expanded the influence of the NBA worldwide.
Recently, Stephen Curry, the star player of the Golden State Warriors, discussed his four most influential NBA players in an interview. He claimed that these four players made significant contributions to the development of basketball and their influence reached a truly global level, which he believes he is not yet qualified to be compared with. Let's take a look at the legendary stars in Curry's mind.
Jordan
Jordan holds an unshakable position in basketball history, just like Pele in football and Bolt in track and field, he is a benchmark figure in the industry. In Jordan's career, he won six championships and was elected Finals MVP each time, won five regular season MVPs, and ten scoring titles. It is precisely because of his unparalleled dominance that Jordan is also known as the "Basketball God." It is no exaggeration to say that Jordan made the NBA truly go global, and basketball has thus become one of the most popular sports in the world.
Kobe
Kobe is the representative of the NBA's one-man-one-city, he dedicated his entire 20-year career to the Los Angeles Lakers and brought them five championship trophies. Kobe's playing style is elegant and graceful, and his superb scoring ability has won him countless fans, but what he is most admired for is his never-give-up Mamba spirit. This spirit inspires countless people to pursue their dreams, whether on the basketball court or in life, Kobe's influence transcends basketball itself and has become a professional benchmark for people from all walks of life.
Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson has a special significance in NBA history. In the 1980s, he led the Lakers to win five championships, creating an unforgettable SHOWTIME era, greatly enhancing the观赏性 of NBA games. In fact, Magic is the first true global superstar in NBA history, he extended the influence of the NBA to the whole world and opened up a new era of basketball. Even Jordan once openly said that Magic is the person who really changed the basketball game, which shows how great his influence is.
James
As the paragon of this era, James is synonymous with stability and endurance, creating numerous glorious achievements in his 22-year career, including becoming the all-time leading scorer in history, being selected to the All-NBA First Team 13 times, participating in 20 All-Star Games, and setting the "411" record, etc. In the eyes of many media and fans, James is already qualified to compete with Jordan for the title of GOAT. And James' influence extends beyond the basketball court; he founded a charity organization, established a basketball school, and provided opportunities for underprivileged children, making him a true quality idol.