Kobe Bryant: Steph Curry is 'toughest' player to guard in NBA
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant has been known to be critical of the current generation of NBA star, questioning their competitive drive, fundamentals and camaraderie.
But even Bryant can't deny that Stephen Curry is special and virtually unguardable right now with the way he's handling and shooting the ball from anywhere within 35 feet.
When asked recently who he felt was the toughest player to defend in the league, Bryant went with the obvious choice: Curry. (via Baxter Holmes of ESPN):
Toughest player to guard in the NBA? @kobebryant says it has to be @StephenCurry30.
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) February 23, 2016
Curry is the best scorer and most effective volume-shooter in the league right now, and it's probably not close. He's averaging nearly 30 points, shooting better than 45 percent on more than 11 3-point attempts per game, and isn't playing in almost one out of every three fourth quarters.
It's a no-brainer, really. Curry is the only choice right now.
But the fact that Bryant is willing to acknowledge Curry's greatness is a victory for Curry.
Bryant hasn't always praised players like LeBron James and Kevin Durant in the recent past, as those guys are his direct competition in the annals of NBA history. Curry eventually might get there -- and sooner than most think -- but since he's not a wing, he's not as threatening to Bryant's throne.
As long as Curry continues to do this, though, it's going to continue to be impossible to deny his unprecedented offensive skill set.
Jovan Buha covers the NBA for FOX Sports. Follow him on Twitter: @jovanbuha.
