Stephen Curry recently appeared on LeBron James and Steve Nash’s podcast, “Mind the Game.” Curry talked about his influence in the NBA and how it has impacted the league today. James and Nash also shared their insights and opinions regarding Curry’s growth in the league.
LeBron James Jokingly Blames Former Warriors Coach for Ruining the NBA
There’s no denying Curry’s influence on basketball. He, along with former Golden State Warriors teammate Klay Thompson, changed the landscape of the sport by showcasing their talent from beyond the arc. Dubbed the “Splash Brothers,” the outside-shooting tandem inspired a younger generation of players to fall in love with the 3-point shot.
However, Curry said he didn’t realize how impactful he truly was until he saw how Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young played.
“When Trae Young came into the league, that was the first person they said was like the next me,” Curry said. “Even though he’s a different player. I knew him when he was in high school … That might be the first time I thought about it or really realized what (my) impact was.”
James then humorously noted that it was Curry’s former head coach, Mark Jackson, who accidentally changed the NBA’s dynamic. Back when Jackson was still the Warriors’ head coach, he told a young Curry to keep shooting 3s. Curry eventually adopted the playstyle and became famous for his insane range beyond the arc.
“What Mark didn’t realize is he ruined the league, too,” James said. “Everyone shoots 3s now. Everyone. 60 3s a game, 50 3s a game. It’s all Steph. It’s all Steph.”
LeBron James jokes that Mark Jackson accidentally ruined the NBA by letting Stephen Curry shoot so many 3s because everybody else started doing it too 😭
“now everyone shoots 3s”
pic.twitter.com/jp66qTQjc7— Guru (@DrGuru_) November 4, 2025
Curry then revealed that former Warriors general manager Bob Myers was the first to encourage him to take a high volume of long-distance shots.
“Shot quality is still … the jury’s still out in the league,” Curry said. “Bob Myers was the first one to tell me, ‘You should shoot 15 3s a game.’ I’m like, ‘What? You know how hard it is to get 12 good looks up?’ But he said, ‘Why not? The math says 15 3s for you is great.’ But, yes, the game has morphed like crazy.”
Today, almost every player across the NBA can knock down 3s. Historically, traditional centers were recognized for their physical, inside play, with only a handful, like Dirk Nowitzki, capable of stretching the floor with outside shooting. But with Curry’s impact on the game, taking shots from beyond the arc has become a goal for nearly every player.