Even at 37, Stephen Curry is still one of the best players in the world as he continues to build his legendary resume. The future Hall of Famer has long tormented some of the NBA’s most elite defenders with his unlimited range, elite motor, and innovative handles.
A former All-Star, however, believes another MVP guard was a tougher cover than Curry, and he explains in detail why.
Jeff Teague Revealed What Separates Derrick Rose From Stephen Curry
Jeff Teague was one of the more productive point guards of the 2010s. The one-time All-Star was a key player on several elite teams and eventually ended his career winning a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Teague came into the NBA the same year Curry did, so he saw up close the all-time great point guard’s rise. But the popular basketball personality on his “Club 520” Podcast recently admitted that Derrick Rose was a harder cover than Curry. Teague went into detail on the one trait that separated the young MVP in league history from everyone else.
“I could stay in front of Steph. He might step back and hit a shot. I couldn’t stay in front of Derrick Rose. There’s nothing you could do. You could back all the way up, he’d look at you, and run at you full speed and do a crossover, and he’s at the rim. You couldn’t stand in front of him.”
The Chicago Bulls’ legend had a prime that made him a beloved player in both the Windy City and the NBA as a whole almost immediately. Rose was a transcendent blend of explosiveness, body control, and late-game fearlessness that felt almost larger than life.
And at 22 years old, the Englewood, Chicago native led the Bulls to 62 regular-season wins, the best record in the East, and an eventual berth in the Conference Finals. Rose won MVP that season and was cementing himself as a potential future face of the NBA.
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Unfortunately, multiple knee injuries significantly limited the three-time All-Star’s prime, but he still carved out a terrific 16-year career. Shortly after Rose’s prime ended, Curry was able to reach heights few thought a guard of his size could reach.
The Akron, Ohio, native has been the centerpiece of the Warriors’ dynasty, winning two MVPs and four Larry O’Brien trophies.
Despite the resume gap between the two point guards, Teague’s take makes sense and is noteworthy, given that he was also renowned for his speed. It shows how special a player Rose was when healthy.
