Can This Four-Time NBA Champion Crack the NBA’s Top 10 Scorers List?

NBA

Currently sitting in 24th place on the all-time scorers list, Stephen Curry inches towards yet another milestone in his career. Having already cemented himself as the greatest shooter ever to touch a basketball court, Curry has scored 25,386 points through 16 seasons. His newest target is the number 28,289, the number for the tenth position all-time. Another household name holds it in the NBA world, none other than Denver and New York Knicks’ legend Carmelo Anthony

In an interview with Complex’s Speedy Mormon, he admitted that this potential accomplishment crosses his mind every once in a while, but not in a way that adds pressure. “It’s a fun way to keep yourself in the moment… something to look forward to,” he told Complex. Winning championships remains his motivator to continue playing, so we should not overstate the importance of cracking the top 10 list. Regardless, how feasible is this feat, and what does Steph need to do to get there?

2,903 points separate Curry and Anthony. Over his 1,000+ game career, he has averaged just over 24.7 points per game, and during the past season, he finished a smidge below that at 24.5 PPG in 70 appearances. We have to account for aging, as the future Hall of Famer is now 37 years old, so let's assume he plays 65 games per season for the remainder of his career. For Curry to get to that magic number, he’d have to score roughly 22 points for two full seasons. His current contract keeps him locked into Golden State until the 2026-2027 season, so mathematically, this goal is achievable within these parameters.

Things could, however, change in an instant, and I want to recognize that. Though his physical conditioning is great, there’s no denying a more fragile nature for Curry’s body at 37 than in his athletic prime. No fan needs a PhD to know that all the hand-checking and drawing contact near the rim will break down an athlete’s physical health quicker as they get older. The hamstring injury he suffered in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals may linger. For a third straight year, he’s been sidelined at least a few games due to knee issues. 

So as long as his body doesn’t get in the way, Curry has shown no signs of a major decline on the horizon. He also hasn’t shared a sentiment that he is mentally preparing himself to step away from the game. In contrast, during that same Complex interview, he said that he’s not thinking about retirement in the slightest. While one moment can change everything, Curry should and will break into the top 10 all-time scorers list.

Jason Asvestopoulos

Hi, my name is Jason Asvestopoulos, and I am an avid sports fan who recently graduated from Boston University. If you can’t find me hanging out with friends/family, or at the gym, I’ll probably be on my couch watching live sports. I hope you enjoy hearing about the latest news and trends through my lens!

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