“At 25, I have a better career than Stephen Curry”

Here is the funny little statement of the day. Gilbert Arenas, invited to discuss his career and his ranking in the overall NBA hierarchy, directly dotted the i’s, attacking one of the greatest players in the history of the league: Stephen Curry . For Agent Zero, his career at 25 is far superior to that of the Chief.

“If you arrest me at 25, Steph doesn’t look me in the eye. You stop it at 25, there’s no title, just an All-Star selection. I already have 3, and 3 All-NBA teams selections. There weren’t many at that age” – Gilbert Arenas

Can we blame him? Not especially. Can we come back to the very specific criterion of comparison? Absolutely, and we are not going to deprive ourselves of it. Nevertheless, let’s start at the beginning, ie the comparison itself, without making any critical judgment for the moment. Gilbert Arenas, drafted by the Warriors in 2001, is a very talented player. After two successful seasons in the Bay and an MIP title as an NBA sophomore, he was not extended and signed in Washington.

It was in the capital that he experienced his most prosperous years, with exceptional statistical averages, rising to 29.3 points per game in 2005-06. Unfortunately, he was cut off mid-flight by a serious knee ligament injury, which kept him almost entirely off the field until 2009 and a dirty gun case brought back to his team’s locker room. The end of his basketball epic will go through Orlando then China.

Gilbert Arenas says 25 year old Gilbert Arenas was better than 25 year old Steph Curry

(Via @IAMATHLETEpod ) pic.twitter.com/cD4LKo6X5r

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 17, 2023

All that to say that before his 25th birthday (in 2007), Gilbert was one of the most talented players in the league: MIP in 2002-03, then three All-NBA teams in 2005, 2006 and 2007, even years than his three All-Star Game selections. At the same age, Stephen Curry then had no title, and only one appearance at the All-Star Game. Agreed, comparison validated, from a purely statistical point of view. But in reality? Nah, why stop at 25? Steph’s career took off late, normal that there were few accomplishments at the beginning. At that point, anyone’s career is the same as LeBron James or Michael Jordan if we stop at 14 years old. End good, you capture the delirium. We have the idea behind Gilbert’s words, eh, but there you go. It’s not the best way to show off, let’s say.

Source : IAMATHLETE podcast, via NBA Central