Kurtenbach: Sorry, but there’s a big reason why Steph Curry can’t...

Kurtenbach: Sorry, but there’s a big reason why Steph Curry can’t be in the G.O.A.T. conversation

The greatest Warrior to have ever lived is Steph Curry.

He’s also the best shooter that has ever lived.

Curry is without a doubt the greatest. In the area we call home, we are fortunate to witness such a gifted athlete on

the court night after night.

But let’s be honest if we are compelled to place Curry in the same league with the game’s all-time greats:

He doesn’t deserve to be in the top tier and he isn’t the greatest player of all time.

Michael Jordan is the all-time great player.

LeBron James is the second best.

If you wish to switch them, you can, but you would be incorrect.

A third participant merits inclusion in that discussion as well: Abdul-Jabbar Kareem.

Even if he’s a distant third these days, he’s still superior to the others.

I can now argue that Curry, who is now ranked No. 4 all-time, ought to come in after Kareem.

That’s quite the tale for the little Charlotte resident.

(Of course, there are a ton of other candidates vying for the No. 4 spot: Tim Duncan,

Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Larry Bird, and Bill Russell are just a few.)

But the reason Shaq said Tuesday night that Curry should be in the discussion about the

and Kareem all accomplished something that Curry has never done:

They performed expert defense.

Given that the Defensive Player of the Year award wasn’t given out until 1982–1983, Jordan may be the only player of the three to have won it.

In his 20s and early 30s, Kareem would have at least once taken home the prize.

Before the injuries mounted, he was a superb low-post force and rim protector. His remarkable career longevity has

somewhat mitigated his image as a defensive player.

Despite playing in an era featuring four-time champion Ben Wallace and Draymond Green,

James has nonetheless never won DPOY. But there wasn’t a stronger on-ball defender in the league during his time

with the Heat, specifically. If you do not trust me, view the 2011 Eastern Conference Playoffs again.

James has made six appearances on the All-Defense team throughout his career (and should have been on more

teams). James’ skill on that side of the ball is one of his most underappreciated career traits.

Jordan was a nine-time First-Team All-Defense selection, making him the best perimeter defender of all time. The

guy won scoring leaderboard, MVP, and DPOY all in the same season, my goodness.

He is the best that has ever existed.

Now, Curry has the titles to stack up with the gods of the game. His impact on the sport is immense, too — as

significant as anyone in the history of the game. And I think his defense is underrated — he’s no scrub

on that side of the court.

But he’s never deserved consideration for any of the NBA’s All-Defense teams in his career.

He’s a solid defender, a serviceable defender, and a versatile defender, but he is not and never will be a two-way player.

And until there’s only one side of the court, it doesn’t matter how great of a scorer someone is — defense must be a

prerequisite for being the greatest basketball player of all time.