Most influential player of the 21st century

[elementally morale]

Who is it? Post 2000.
It's not a GOAT debate, not even close. The question is three-fold.



1) Which player had the biggest impact on how the game is played and going to be played the next 20-25 years?

2) Which player touched the most people watching the sport? As in: yes, this is what I want to see in basketball or in sports in general.

3) Which player was/is the best inspiration to players? As in: the way in which they approach the game (be it working on your game, effort on the floor or anything else you van think of)

[j3lademaster]

1) Curry

2) Kobe

3) Lebron

[elementally morale]

1) Curry

2) Kobe

3) Lebron

You may have just nailed it with the first answer. I'm not sure myself but for question #1 I had Curry and Jokic in mind. Question #2 is tough because it's the most subjective... you are most likely to go with the player that touched you most. (Yes, it's Kobe for me too.) I don't have the answer for Question #3. I mean I'm sure most wannabe stars want to achieve what LeBron has but I'm not sure his approach works for most people. LeBron's and Shaq's are born.

[RRR3]

Curry for strictly on court stuff. Followed by Harden.

LeBron as a personality and celebrity.

[Manny98]

1. Kobe
2. Allen Iverson
3. LeBron
4. Curry

[AlternativeAcc.]

1 - Nash

2 - LeBron

3. - LeBron



People that give credit to the rise of 3's to Curry are morons. The rise of 3's is what gave rise to a one-dimesnional player like Curry... not the other way around. The shift started with dudes like D'antoni and Morey. Nash on the Suns with D'antoni in the mid 2000's has been by far the most influential player in regards to how the game is played today. Curry would literally be a walmart manager in any prior era that didn't priortize this style of play.

[tpols]

Curry, Kobe and Lebron pretty clear cut.

[Wally450]

AI, Kobe, LeBron, Curry

[SATAN]

I feel like James Harden while undeserving of "most influential" status should get a mention. Completely mastered the art of seeing how much he could get away with without being called for a travel.

[bladefd]

Post-2000?

By your questions:
1) Curry - Between him, Klay, and Harden/D'Antoni, the game has completely changed where now centers like Jokic/Embiid work heavily on their 3s. Curry is by far the biggest of those 3.
2) LeBron - Longevity and global platform means he has touched others more than any American athlete not named Jordan. I would say he has touched even more people than Jordan due to those 2 factors I mentioned.
3) Kobe - Kobe's work ethic and electric personality is still a buzz from youngsters. He wasn't the most gifted or talent, but you knew he was probably the ĥardest worker from the top 20 all-time greats list. Without that work ethic, drive, and dedication, I don't think Kobe becomes the top 50 player of all time on most people's lists (pretty much everyone has him in top 12 all-time). He worked his ass off and became legendary that people will be talking about him 50 years later, much like Lou Gehrig is still talked about today.

Overall, it's LeBron if we have no qualifiers. He had a great career but more importantly, he was a model player through his entire career. Worked hard, longevity, legendary all-around ability, one of the greatest winners in history, and no trouble with the law. The only thing I can think of was the Hummer scandal before he was drafted, and The Decision. I would add his comments concerning Hong Kong, which was ignorant. None of it illegal tho.

[Axe]

1) Curry

2) Kobe

3) Lebron
Pretty much this for obvious reasons. Some retards here would hate lebron tho for being too dramatic, as well as supposedly 'trademarking' taco tuesday.


1 - Nash

2 - LeBron

3. - LeBron



People that give credit to the rise of 3's to Curry are morons. The rise of 3's is what gave rise to a one-dimesnional player like Curry... not the other way around. The shift started with dudes like D'antoni and Morey. Nash on the Suns with D'antoni in the mid 2000's has been by far the most influential player in regards to how the game is played today. Curry would literally be a walmart manager in any prior era that didn't priortize this style of play.
He gets the most credit out of it due to how very successful his team and peers dominated the league. And steve kerr also worked with the suns before so he instilled a lot of the offensive stuff he knew that greatly worked for them.

[AlternativeAcc.]

Pretty much this for obvious reasons.


He gets the most credit out of it due to how very successful his team and peers dominated the league. And steve kerr also worked with the suns before so he instilled a lot of the offensive stuff he knew that greatly worked for them.
The league had already shifted to a heavier 3pt assault before Curry ever had his breakout season. He didn't change the game, the game changed and he was the main beneficiary. He would be a UPS driver in any other era...

And yes, Kerrs experience with the Suns was pivotal. He implemented the offensive style and with the help of Dray actually coupled that with elite defenses. Shame they never actually won a legit title though.

[bladefd]

1 - Nash

2 - LeBron

3. - LeBron



People that give credit to the rise of 3's to Curry are morons. The rise of 3's is what gave rise to a one-dimesnional player like Curry... not the other way around. The shift started with dudes like D'antoni and Morey. Nash on the Suns with D'antoni in the mid 2000's has been by far the most influential player in regards to how the game is played today. Curry would literally be a walmart manager in any prior era that didn't priortize this style of play.

Yes, Nash/D'Antoni together in Phoenix were the first, but that combo was a failure until Curry/Warriors came along. People were saying that D'Antoni style would never win championships and was openly mocked as a gimmick for several years after Suns broke apart. Curry took it to another level beyond anything Suns, and proved that it works by winning multiple championships using that style. You can't forget that point.

[AlternativeAcc.]

Yes, Nash/D'Antoni together in Phoenix were the first, but that combo was a failure until Curry/Warriors came along. People were saying that D'Antoni style would never win championships and was openly mocked as a gimmick after Suns broke apart. Curry took it to another level beyond anything Suns, and proved that it works by winning multiple championships using that style. You can't forget that point.

Warriors had the number 1 defense in 15 in large part due to Dray/Iggy. They also never actually won a legit title. in 15 they "won", barely dragging across the finish line because Cavs were without 2 of their best 3 players. Then they begged Durant to form the most loaded team ever after choking in '16. But DEFENSE was a huge part of the success, and had nothing to do with Curry, actually it was in spite of currys atrocious defense. 3 point prevelence was up massively by the time the Warriors were even contenders.

So no, Curry didn't change the game, that is a massive misconception that casuals throw around.

[bladefd]

Warriors had the number 1 defense in 15 in large part due to Dray/Iggy. They also never actually won a legit title. in 15 they "won", barely dragging across the finish line because Cavs were without 2 of their best 3 players. Then they begged Durant to form the most loaded team ever after choking in '16. But DEFENSE was a huge part of the success, and had nothing to do with Curry, actually it was in spite of currys atrocious defense. 3 point prevelence was up massively by the time the Warriors were even contenders.

So no, Curry didn't change the game, that is a massive misconception that casuals throw around.

I stopped reading there.

It's obvious to me it's emotion-driven for you. So, we stop there.

[BarberSchool]

Stephen Wardell Curry

[ImKobe]

Either Curry or Kobe. It's close still but long-term Steph wins this argument by a long shot with how popular the 3s have become. Kobe's influence on players like Luka, Kawhi, Tatum etc is well-known though, but the next crop of stars about a decade from now will all have grown up on Steph and will be emulating his game.

[AlternativeAcc.]

I stopped reading there.

It's obvious to me it's emotion-driven for you. So, we stop there.

I'm calmly stating facts.

Curry is a product of marketing hype. Nothing more. It's the biggest sham in sports history.

[j3lademaster]

Either Curry or Kobe. It's close still but long-term Steph wins this argument by a long shot with how popular the 3s have become. Kobe's influence on players like Luka, Kawhi, Tatum etc is well-known though, but the next crop of stars about a decade from now will all have grown up on Steph and will be emulating his game.
The reason I didn’t go with Kobe for #3 is because he represents the antithesis of the modern nba: load management, buddy-buddy with your rivals, forming superteams. Lebron is a lot more… pragmatic in that regard. His move to the Heat opened the door to Durant to GS.

[RRR3]

The reason I didn’t go with Kobe for #3 is because he represents the antithesis of the modern nba: load management, buddy-buddy with your rivals, forming superteams. Lebron is a lot more… pragmatic in that regard. His move to the Heat opened the door to Durant to GS.
Kobe formed multiple superteams lol

[elementally morale]

1 - Nash

I like the Nash idea as a precursor to Curry. Also, I think Jokic is having a similar effect with big men and hopefully with team play as well. Even Embiid and Giannis started passing more in the last 2 years and here come the Alperen Senguns. Traditional center play with playmaking ability and decent touch from 3 is a nice change.

[SATAN]

I honestly don't understand why anyone would say Kobe. For a good chunk of his career he wasn't even very well liked outside of Lakers fan base and his crazy stans. He was just some guy who was pretty good but everyone knew he wanted to be Michael Jordan and never could be. Being a chucker is not a good thing. Nothing changed because he matured in his later years before his death, even if people want to get in their feelings and start rewriting history...

[elementally morale]

I honestly don't understand why anyone would say Kobe. For a good chunk of his career he wasn't even very well liked outside of Lakers fan base and his crazy stans. He was just some guy who was pretty good but everyone knew he wanted to be Michael Jordan and never could be. Being a chucker is not a good thing. Nothing changed because he matured in his later years before his death, even if people want to get in their feelings and start rewriting history...

Most of the rest of the world saw it differently. But it sure is subjective. However, it's hard arguing with popular opinion. I can tell you why Kobe had an effect on me (actually the most effect out of all players in my 40+ years of watching) despite the fact that I don't think he is close to being top 5 all time. But I'll save you the trauma and the rest of the board the needless arguing about it. It is subjective as far as who is touching you through a screen is concerned. Kobe touched many people. Among them some great players and coaches. Not you.

[SATAN]

I can tell you why Kobe had an effect on me (actually the most effect out of all players in my 40+ years of watching) despite the fact that I don't think he is close to being top 5 all time. But I'll save you the trauma

I'm all ears...

[ImKobe]

I honestly don't understand why anyone would say Kobe. For a good chunk of his career he wasn't even very well liked outside of Lakers fan base and his crazy stans. He was just some guy who was pretty good but everyone knew he wanted to be Michael Jordan and never could be. Being a chucker is not a good thing. Nothing changed because he matured in his later years before his death, even if people want to get in their feelings and start rewriting history...

You don't understand what influence means. No one's gonna go out on the court and emulate Lebron because it's impossible to, unless you have god-like genetics with generational passing skill. Kobe's bag is why he's been so influential for the current crop of NBA stars like Tatum, Luka, Kyrie, Kawhi etc.

Kobe went to 7 Finals and won 5 rings. That's as close as anyone's gotten to MJ since his retirement.

[RRR3]

You don't understand what influence means. No one's gonna go out on the court and emulate Lebron because it's impossible to, unless you have god-like genetics with generational passing skill. Kobe's bag is why he's been so influential for the current crop of NBA stars like Tatum, Luka, Kyrie, Kawhi etc.

Kobe went to 7 Finals and won 5 rings. That's as close as anyone's gotten to MJ since his retirement.
Luka's favorite player is LeBron and Kawhi plays nothing like Kobe (he has none of the guard skills in terms of playmaking).

Duncan also won 5 rings, and he was actually the best player for all of them, so I'd say he's the closest to MJ if we're using that as the metric.

[elementally morale]

Luka's favorite player is LeBron and Kawhi plays nothing like Kobe (he has none of the guard skills in terms of playmaking).

Duncan also won 5 rings, and he was actually the best player for all of them, so I'd say he's the closest to MJ if we're using that as the metric.

Touching people has close to nothing to do with results. It's about a relatable story.

[ImKobe]

Luka's favorite player is LeBron and Kawhi plays nothing like Kobe (he has none of the guard skills in terms of playmaking).

Duncan also won 5 rings, and he was actually the best player for all of them, so I'd say he's the closest to MJ if we're using that as the metric.

Lol Duncan the best player on all 5 of them? What a joke.

[elementally morale]

I'm all ears...

Kobe was a few (5) years younger than me. My quasi-professional playing days had just been over and I had some spare time so started to follow the NBA regular season more closely at around 1998 or so. I saw many playoff games the years prior having started in the very early 80s. As the Showtime Lakers were the thing back then I became a Lakers supporter. A fan from afar.

So there was this young kid I really disliked at first. I think it was the 4 airballs against the Jazz that made me follow Kobe's path. I wanted the Lakers to trade him and bring someone better for Shaq. That's the way it started.

Throughout the years I watched a very interesting story about a human being. As if I saw a younger cousin grow up. A kid that had many flaws both on and ff the court. And it was mesmerizing seeing him work on everything the way he did. It was great to see character development. Success and failure. Growth. Drama. The whole package.

It wasn't basketball. Sure, there were some games involved. But it was the story. Like the one in "Dear basketball'. And not a Cindarella stroy but a more realistic one. Life itself with its ups and downs. The speech he gave at Buss' funeral. Interviews. Scandals. And basketball.

So he became my favorite player but not because of his game. That helped. He become my favorite because he was a human being I could relate to. I had my life, my mistakes, may better moments and so on. So it became somewhat personal. He didn't know that but he became a part of my life. Remained that way after his career had come to an end.

When he died a part of me died. It's true. I was 45+ when that happened. I was in shock for days. I cried and I didn't understand why. Then I realized I cried about my youth. It sure has ended sooner but somehow Kobe's death made my 'young years' officially over. I realized they died and are in a sense died with Kobe. (And my parents were dead at the time, I had children in high school and college so it wasn't lack of life experience.) For some reason it just had a huge effect on me. Still does. Because he was perfect or a better human being than most? No. To the contrary. Because he was imperfect as a player and a person but kept trying and actually got better as the years went by.

He was a very good player. But that was not the most interesting part. I've seen better.

[bladefd]

Kobe was a few (5) years younger than me. My quasi-professional playing days had just been over and I had some spare time so started to follow the NBA regular season more closely at around 1998 or so. I saw many playoff games the years prior having started in the very early 80s. As the Showtime Lakers were the thing back then I became a Lakers supporter. A fan from afar.

So there was this young kid I really disliked at first. I think it was the 4 airballs against the Jazz that made me follow Kobe's path. I wanted the Lakers to trade him and bring someone better for Shaq. That's the way it started.

Throughout the years I watched a very interesting story about a human being. As if I saw a younger cousin grow up. A kid that had many flaws both on and ff the court. And it was mesmerizing seeing him work on everything the way he did. It was great to see character development. Success and failure. Growth. Drama. The whole package.

It wasn't basketball. Sure, there were some games involved. But it was the story. Like the one in "Dear basketball'. And not a Cindarella stroy but a more realistic one. Life itself with its ups and downs. The speech he gave at Buss' funeral. Interviews. Scandals. And basketball.

So he became my favorite player but not because of his game. That helped. He become my favorite because he was a human being I could relate to. I had my life, my mistakes, may better moments and so on. So it became somewhat personal. He didn't know that but he became a part of my life. Remained that way after his career had come to an end.

When he died a part of me died. It's true. I was 45+ when that happened. I was in shock for days. I cried and I didn't understand why. Then I realized I cried about my youth. It sure has ended sooner but somehow Kobe's death made my 'young years' officially over. I realized they died and are in a sense died with Kobe. (And my parents were dead at the time, I had children in high school and college so it wasn't lack of life experience.) For some reason it just had a huge effect on me. Still does. Because he was perfect or a better human being than most? No. To the contrary. Because he was imperfect as a player and a person but kept trying and actually got better as the years went by.

He was a very good player. But that was not the most interesting part. I've seen better.

My story would be similar.

Started watching NBA in 2000. I became a Lakers fan overnight watching Shaq/Kobe

I eventually got tired of Kobe's attitude and wanted Shaq to stay. I wasn't happy when Shaq was traded

I saw Kobe go through the same transformation from #8 to #24. Immature, out-of-control, selfish, spoiled child grew into respected, humble, and honorable person. Absolutely why I became an even bigger Kobe fan than I was. Before, I was more of a Lakers fan (and Kobe by extension) then became a Kobe fan post-Shaq.

I'm much younger than you so it actually resonated more with me being 10 years younger than Kobe. You are a bit older than Kobe.

The day after the crash, I watched Kobe's 81pt game and his last 60pt game. You can clearly see that transformation in Kobe between the two instances separated by ~10 years, one wearing #8 and other wearing #24. I have always preferred #24, although I really wish he could have won another chip with Dwight/Pau or beat Celtics in the first run.

[Airupthere]

1. Curry
2. Kobe
3. AI

[elementally morale]

I'm much younger than you so it actually resonated more with me being 10 years younger than Kobe. You are a bit older than Kobe.


I probably had more understanding due to age and you were probably more deeply involved. Kobe's story touched many people for different reasons. Being a Laker fan is not the biggest one among those reasons and neither is ability to play the game. Those reasons are valid and contribute but the human aspect was a lot more important.

[SATAN]

*refraining*

https://media.tenor.com/WfzMmzKV5iUAAAAC/close-door-walk-out.gif

[HoopsNY]

I'm calmly stating facts.

Curry is a product of marketing hype. Nothing more. It's the biggest sham in sports history.

What a ridiculous take. All you have to do is look and see how the game is played. Kids idolized Kobe and now Curry. They all want to play like him. Go to any playground and that's what you will see.

You're a disingenuous LeBron stan so it makes sense as to why you would go to such lengths to discredit the impact Curry has had on the game. Literally no one denies that impact.

[fsvr54]

Kawhi Leonard
Nikola Jokic

[ImKobe]

What a ridiculous take. All you have to do is look and see how the game is played. Kids idolized Kobe and now Curry. They all want to play like him. Go to any playground and that's what you will see.

You're a disingenuous LeBron stan so it makes sense as to why you would go to such lengths to discredit the impact Curry has had on the game. Literally no one denies that impact.

It should be obvious to everyone why KB and Chef would be as liked and emulated by kids as opposed to Bran. How is a kid going to go on the basketball court and pretend they're 6'8 with GOAT genetics and passing ability? Ain't no one studying Lebron's footwork or his jump shot or any of his scoring moves for that matter. You might do the tomahawk dunk on a nerf hoop but that's about it.

[elementally morale]

*refraining*

Understandable. These things are very subjective. Like hairstyles, preferred food or favorite music.

[rmt]

1. Curry - 3 pt shooting
2. Lebron or Kobe - this is very personal/subjective
3. Curry - for ordinary people - meaning you don't have to be an athletic/size freak

[j3lademaster]

It should be obvious to everyone why KB and Chef would be as liked and emulated by kids as opposed to Bran. How is a kid going to go on the basketball court and pretend they're 6'8 with GOAT genetics and passing ability? Ain't no one studying Lebron's footwork or his jump shot or any of his scoring moves for that matter. You might do the tomahawk dunk on a nerf hoop but that's about it.I think Jokic’s game is pretty accessible. If you’re one of the taller guys out there(6’1-6’3 does it on most courts) you can take away a lot from Jokic, and people will like playing with you.

[j3lademaster]

I'm calmly stating facts.

Curry is a product of marketing hype. Nothing more. It's the biggest sham in sports history.you realize the reason the KD era Warriors were so good is because Steph enhances his teammates so much, right? You also can’t talk about the Warrior’s defense without talking about Steph and Bogut. Most teams can’t run Bogut and Draymond at the same time due to spacing issues, the Warriors can because it’s not about how many shooters you have, it’s how much gravity your shooters have. It’s also what allowed the Warriors to run Draymond and Looney in 22, where Draymond has become completely washed as a shooter and isn’t a good enough rebounder to play center. And if Curry’s presence doesn’t impact defense, it doesn’t make sense the warriors were 25th in drating when Curry was out and 5th the following season when Curry came back.

[GimmeThat]

Most teams can’t run Bogut and Draymond at the same time due to spacing issues, the Warriors can because it’s not about how many shooters you have, it’s how much gravity your shooters have.

you mean the more you condense your bones and the more growth you stunt upon yourself, you're more influential

how about just give me players with healthy ligaments protecting their bones.