"Every time I mention Steph Curry, everybody gets mad and everybody assumes I don't like him" - Former Nets guard backtracks from his comments about Warriors superstar
Former Brooklyn Nets guard Mike James has backtracked on his comments about Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry. James received a lot of flak for calling Curry a one-dimensional player earlier this month.
During an appearance on the "Players Choice" podcast, the AS Monaco star did not include Curry on his list of top five players in the NBA today. James said that he felt Curry is a one-dimensional player, and not being the primary ball-handler bothered him as a fellow point guard.
"Steph's, like, how he plays, and how he gets stuff off, it’s just kind of one dimensional at times, if that makes sense," James said. "He's not the primary ball handler a lot, and for a point guard, that kind of bothers me, but he does score off the dribble. He's a superstar."
“I got Kev, Bron, Embiid, Giannis.. It get tough after that between Luka, Steph, Jokic.. I’m going to say Luka, I feel like Steph is just a little bit below.”
-Mike James on his top 5 NBA players today. https://t.co/s53hzlw6Fi
After receiving backlash, James appeared on the "URBONUS" podcast to discuss his remarks about the four-time champ. He clarified that he has no problems with Curry and the Warriors in general.
"I think I said a lot of controversial things in general because I think outside the box," James said. "But for some reason, every time I mention Steph Curry, everybody gets mad, and everybody assumes I don't like him. But I think he's amazing. To be honest, he changed basketball."
"Like seven years ago, everybody started shooting threes and playing small ball. Not only because of him. Like 75% him, and then like the other 25 (%) the Warriors. I don't have a problem with him."
While James has clarified his stance, one possible reason why he was criticized is because it was not the first time he took a shot at Curry. In a tweet last year, James said that Kyrie Irving was more skilled than Curry, who was only better at shooting.
Kevin Durant “likes” post of exchange between Mike James and twitter user in which James argues Kyrie is more skilled than Curry, and that Curry just “shoot better”. https://t.co/UmOShT8lm1
What was Steph Curry's response to Mike James?
Steph Curry had a busy summer following the Golden State Warriors' triumph in the NBA Finals. Curry participated in a golf tournament, hosted the ESPY Awards and unveiled several projects under the banner of his Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation.
Did Curry have time to respond to Mike James' comments? Of course, he did. After all, he doesn't call himself the "Petty King" for nothing. The two-time MVP commented about it during a news conference for his annual youth camp.
When a reporter asked Curry if he'd take it easy in 1-on-1 games against the kids at his camp, the Warriors guard said:
"It's all bad for them. All bad for them, even as one-dimensional as I am," Curry said. "I'm petty though, so petty. I'm so petty. Keep it going. I like that one a lot though, sorry."
The Petty King strikes again 💀
(via caleb_hanna / IG) https://t.co/6C6EzviHvj
A lot of people thought the Warriors dynasty was over after missing the playoffs for two seasons. However, Curry and the rest of the team used it as motivation to win the 2022 NBA championship.