In an exclusive interview with Eric Jay Santos of Inside the Celtics, NBA legend Rick Barry said Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry is the face of the NBA over Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
“To me, the biggest face of the NBA is Stephen Curry because more people can relate to him,” Barry told Inside the Celtics. “A normal, everyday human being can’t relate to LeBron James. He’s an anomaly… a big, powerful guy, and there are not many people like LeBron James. There are people who look like Stephen Curry, are built like Stephen Curry, but they don’t play basketball like Stephen Curry.”
This is an opinion that has been shared by several people since Curry’s rise to superstardom, and it’s certainly one layer to consider when discussing who the face of the NBA is. Because of his stature, Curry isn’t as physically imposing as LeBron James or other NBA superstars. For some, this can make him more relatable, which is what Barry is stating in his argument.
Curry’s style of play is also what attracts many fans to his game. Changing basketball with his three-point shooting ability, Curry’s rise to all-time great status was truly done his own way. Playing with a joy that inspires so many, Curry is undoubtedly one of faces of the NBA, if not the face of the NBA.