Michael Jordan’s Bold Take: Is Steph Curry Truly Not a Hall of Famer Yet? An In-Depth Look at the NBA Icon’s Controversial Remarks

NBA legend Michael Jordan, affectionately known as ‘His Airness’ for his unparalleled aerial artistry, recently sparked a fiery debate among basketball fans and analysts alike with a controversial statement regarding Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry. During an appearance on the TODAY show on October 21st, Jordan made waves by suggesting that Curry, despite his numerous accolades and revolutionary impact on the game, had not yet earned the right to be considered a Hall of Famer. This bold assertion, coming from arguably the greatest player of all time, instantly sent shockwaves through the NBA community, leading many to question if Jordan’s long-standing nickname should temporarily be altered to ‘His Shadiness’ given the provocative nature of his comments.

The contentious exchange unfolded when host Craig Melvin challenged Jordan on a hypothetical scenario from six years prior. Melvin reminded Jordan, “Someone asked you if you could pick four guys for your pickup team … Hakeem Olajuwon, Magic Johnson, Scottie Pippen, and James Worthy, that was six years ago.” He then pressed the 56-year-old icon, acknowledging the significant shifts in the league over half a decade, “A lot has happened in the league in six years. Would you keep the same four?” Without hesitation, Michael Jordan asserted that he would choose those exact same players “in a heartbeat.” His reasoning was simple and unwavering: they represented the pinnacle of talent he had competed against and alongside throughout his illustrious career. It was at this point that Melvin steered the conversation directly to the reigning face of the modern NBA, Steph Curry, asking, “So, Steph Curry shouldn’t be offended when he watches this?”

Jordan’s response, delivered with a casual confidence, was the spark that ignited the controversy. “I hope not,” he stated initially, seemingly attempting to soften the blow, before unequivocally adding, “He’s still a great player. Not a Hall of Famer yet, though. He’s not.” This firm denial of Curry’s Hall of Fame status immediately became the headline, prompting immediate and widespread discussion. On one hand, Jordan’s statement holds a technical truth: the NBA Hall of Fame requires a player to be retired for five full seasons before becoming eligible for induction. At 31 years old and still very much an active player with years of high-level basketball ahead of him, Steph Curry cannot literally be inducted into the Hall of Fame anytime soon. However, the spirit of Jordan’s remark implied a qualitative assessment, suggesting that even if eligible, Curry’s resume might not yet be complete enough by Jordan’s exacting standards. This qualitative interpretation is where the true debate lies, given Curry’s already monumental achievements.

Steph Curry’s Undeniable Legacy: A Revolution in the Making

To fully grasp the magnitude of Jordan’s statement, one must consider the unparalleled career Steph Curry has already built. This isn’t just about raw statistics, impressive as they are; it’s about a player who fundamentally altered the landscape of professional basketball. Curry currently boasts career averages of 23.5 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game, elite numbers for a point guard. More significantly, his trophy cabinet is brimming with some of the sport’s most prestigious honors. He is a three-time NBA champion, having led the Golden State Warriors to unprecedented success and ushered in an era of dominance. He’s a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), including the only unanimous MVP selection in league history – a testament to his overwhelming impact during the 2015-2016 season. Beyond these headline achievements, Curry is a six-time All-NBA team member, a six-time NBA All-Star, and a scoring champion. These accolades alone place him among the elite of any generation, but they only tell part of the story.

What truly sets Steph Curry apart and leads many to consider him an undeniable future Hall of Famer is his revolutionary influence on how basketball is played. As Yahoo Sports rightly noted, he “helped revolutionize the way the game is played.” Curry single-handedly spearheaded the “three-point revolution,” transforming the long-range shot from a strategic weapon into the primary offensive pillar for many teams. His unparalleled shooting range, quick release, and ability to hit shots from virtually anywhere on the court forced defenses to extend further than ever before, creating space and opportunities for his teammates. This “gravity,” as it’s known, where defenses are drawn to him even when he doesn’t have the ball, is a unique and powerful attribute that few players in history have possessed. His off-ball movement, relentless conditioning, and creative playmaking have made the Golden State Warriors offense a spectacle to behold and a nightmare to defend, inspiring countless young players and professional teams to emulate his style.

Michael Jordan’s Perspective: A Legend’s Uncompromising Standard

Understanding Michael Jordan’s stance requires delving into the mindset of a player whose career set an almost impossibly high bar for greatness. Jordan’s own resume is staggering: six NBA championships, six Finals MVP awards, five league MVPs, and 14 All-Star appearances. He played in an era defined by physical defense and fierce rivalries, and his competitive drive was legendary. For Jordan, the “Hall of Fame” likely represents an apex of individual and team achievement, coupled with a dominant, transformative impact on the game – criteria he himself overwhelmingly fulfilled. It’s plausible that he applies these same exacting standards to every player, perhaps even overlooking the generational shifts in how the game is played. His “pickup team” selection of Hakeem Olajuwon, Magic Johnson, Scottie Pippen, and James Worthy further illustrates this. These are all players from his era, who he personally battled against or shared championships with, individuals whose greatness he experienced firsthand and validated through direct competition at the highest level.

It’s also worth noting the context of Jordan’s appearance. The TODAY show interview wasn’t solely focused on basketball analysis; it also shone a spotlight on his new brand of tequila, Cincoro. While this doesn’t diminish his statement, it might suggest a more relaxed, perhaps even provocative, approach to the discussion, rather than a meticulously reasoned analytical take. Nevertheless, coming from Michael Jordan, his words carry immense weight and scrutiny, regardless of the setting.

The NBA World Reacts: From Cheers to Eye-Rolls

Unsurprisingly, Jordan’s remarks were met with a stark divide in the basketball community. Steph Curry’s detractors likely cheered Jordan’s comments, finding validation for any lingering doubts they might harbor about the Warriors’ star. However, his legion of fans and many objective observers responded with eye-rolls and disbelief, pointing to Curry’s unprecedented achievements and revolutionary impact. One of the most notable reactions came from Portland Trail Blazers star CJ McCollum, who has faced Curry multiple times in the NBA Playoffs and even played alongside Steph’s brother, Seth Curry, at one point. McCollum’s succinct tweet captured the sentiment of many, questioning Jordan’s state of mind during the interview: “MJ was loaded,” he tweeted, implying that Jordan might have been intoxicated or simply being unusually flippant. This sentiment underscored the widespread feeling that Jordan’s statement was an unnecessary jab at a player who has undoubtedly earned his place among the game’s greats.

MJ was loaded 🤣😂 https://t.co/28JJn6n9KL

— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) October 22, 2019

The controversy also highlights the ongoing generational debate in the NBA. Legends from past eras often struggle to fully appreciate or acknowledge the evolving game and the achievements of modern stars, viewing them through the lens of their own playing days. While this perspective is understandable, it often leads to dismissive takes that ignore the context of current basketball. Jordan, as a transcendent figure, is often at the center of these “GOAT” (Greatest Of All Time) discussions, and his comments about Curry inadvertently placed him in a position of gatekeeper, judging a player whose influence is arguably as profound as Jordan’s own, albeit in different ways.

Comparing Eras: Jordan’s Dominance vs. Curry’s Modern Impact

Steph Curry was about to embark on his 11th season in the league when Jordan made these comments. While his career is undeniably stellar, it’s inevitable that comparisons will be drawn, especially when a legend like Jordan weighs in. Michael Jordan concluded his 15-year NBA career with an unprecedented six championships, each accompanied by a Finals MVP award. He also garnered five league MVP trophies and earned 14 All-Star selections. These are monumental achievements that firmly cement his status as arguably the greatest basketball player ever. Jordan’s era was characterized by dominant post-play, fierce rivalries, and a slightly slower, more deliberate offensive pace. Curry, on the other hand, thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume three-point shooting environment that he himself helped to create.

Despite the recent roster shifts for the Golden State Warriors ahead of the 2019-2020 season – most notably Klay Thompson’s season-ending injury and Kevin Durant’s departure to the Brooklyn Nets – it is far from unreasonable to anticipate that Steph Curry could add one or two more championships to his impressive resume before his career concludes. His ability to elevate his teammates and dominate games, even when surrounded by a less star-studded cast, would only further solidify his legacy. Even if he doesn’t accumulate as many rings as Jordan, the sheer impact of his play style and the revolutionary change he brought to the game are factors that must be heavily weighed when considering Hall of Fame eligibility.

The Hall of Fame Lock: A Consensus View

Ultimately, while Michael Jordan’s technicality regarding Steph Curry’s Hall of Fame status holds true for the present moment (given the five-year retirement rule), the overwhelming consensus among basketball experts, media, and fans is that Curry is an absolute lock for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. If Steph Curry were to unexpectedly retire tomorrow, there is little doubt that he would be inducted the very moment he became eligible. His unique skill set, multiple championships, MVP awards, and the seismic shift he instigated in how basketball is played ensure his place among the sport’s immortals. Jordan’s comments, while provocative and attention-grabbing, are likely to be remembered more as a curious footnote in the career of two legends, rather than an accurate assessment of Steph Curry’s inevitable Hall of Fame destiny.