Stephen Curry: Stud or Dud?

(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Correctly deciding whether or not a 6'3" guard known for his scoring will be a success in the NBA can be as tiresome a process as drafting that future Hall of Fame quarterback or deciding which pitching prospect can handle the spotlight.

To truly evaluate a player, you must understand his skill set and know what he is capable of on the court. Curry, of course, has his knockdown jumper with limitless range and a quick release, but his game by no means ends there. Curry has great court vision and is not a selfish player. In the '08/'09 season, Curry averaged 5.6 assists. That's considerably more than highly-touted prospects Darren Collison, Tyreke Evans, and Tony Douglas averaged, and within one assist of what both Ty Lawson and Eric Maynor averaged. He also put up that amount of assists while at times carrying his team, in regards to the scoreboard.

Even with all that said, it was never really a secret that Stephen Curry has a great deal of offensive skill. Defensively, however, he is horribly underrated. Stephen Curry averaged 2.5 steals a game in the '08/'09 season, which is more than Ty Lawson, Eric Maynor, and almost every other guard in the nation averaged. Now by no means am I saying that numbers mean everything, but Curry's stats don't hurt him.

With strengths of course come weaknesses, and most of Curry's stem from his lack of strength. He isn't as physically imposing on defense as you would like a point guard to be, but strength can be added, and that one problem will not stop Curry from being a success in the NBA.

With all of that said, Curry brings a great jump shot and a knack for scoring, very good court vision, quick hands on defense, and a little to be desired, strength-wise. Now I'm not calling him Steve Nash or Mike Bibby, but I am saying that that particular skill set can not only work, but thrive, in today's NBA.

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