Golden State Warriors

Steve Kerr says Stephen Curry is like 'Nash on steroids'

Published Dec. 15, 2015 7:39 p.m. ET

foxsports

In a recent interview with the San Jose Mercury News, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr opened up about his health, his timetable for his return and the mixed emotions he's felt watching his team play so historically well in his absence.

One of the most interesting tidbits from the interview was when Kerr was about the brilliant play of Stephen Curry, who has already ran away with the MVP award this season. Here's what Kerr had to say:

The Curry-Nash comparison has been floated around since Curry entered the league in 2009, and there is obviously some validity to it. Kerr -- who played against Nash during his career, worked with him in Phoenix from 2007-10 and was a central figure in bringing Nash onto the Warriors' staff this season -- knows Nash better than most, so his words carry more weight.

And Kerr is right. Curry is Nash on steroids. The shooting, the passing, the ball-handling, the creativity, the flair. It's all there -- just revved up.

While it's nearly impossible to determine who was actually the better shooter and ball-handler between the two -- Nash is basically a career 50-40-90 guy, and is one of the few players who can hold a candle to Curry -- Curry's willingness to shoot and more aggressive mentality on offense make him the better shooter and more dangerous weapon.

There are differences, of course. Nash was a better passer -- Curry's flashy passing doesn't mean he's on the same level as Nash -- while Curry has grown into a considerably better defender and rebounder. Curry's peak will likely surpass Nash's, but Nash enjoyed a level of longevity few stars achieve -- Curry can certainly get there, but there are no guarantees.

As Curry continues to work with Nash throughout the season, and likely in some capacity in the offseason, it's scary to imagine just how much better he can become.

-Q: What do you think about what Steph is doing this season?

-KERR: He’s doing things that nobody in the history of the game has ever done.

I told Steve Nash a few weeks ago, he’s like Nash on steroids.

It’s like he’s taken all the stuff that Nash did, the ball-handling and the shooting, but he’s extended the shooting range by 10 feet and he’s sped up the ball-handling compared to what Nash did.

And there’s an energy and a pop to Steph’s game that wasn’t there even a couple years ago.

It’s incredible what he’s doing. And it’s amazing to watch.