Stephen Curry’s dominance from beyond the arc has redefined modern basketball, but in a recent heated debate, both Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe took a deep dive into what makes Curry’s 3-point shooting so unstoppable—and why it might be more dangerous than fans and analysts realize.

The Breakdown: Stephen A. & Shannon Expose the “Curry Effect”

On a recent episode of First Take, Stephen A. and Shannon Sharpe went back and forth over what makes Curry’s 3-point shooting a force that teams can’t seem to counter, even after a decade of him dominating the league.

Shannon Sharpe kicked off the conversation, pointing out Curry’s ability to hit from anywhere on the court, and not just when he’s open. “It’s not just that Steph Curry can shoot,” Sharpe said. “It’s that he can shoot off the dribble, off-balance, with two defenders in his face, and still hit 30, 35-foot shots like it’s nothing. That is what destroys defenses.”

Stephen A. jumped in, acknowledging that Curry’s shooting has changed the way the game is played but noted how it’s also exposed defenses for what they can’t do: “Defenders know what’s coming, they try everything—double-teams, traps, full-court pressure—nothing works. He’s so quick and deceptive with the ball that by the time they react, it’s already too late. Steph has made entire defenses look helpless.”

The “Annihilation” Factor: Why Defenders Can’t Keep Up

One of the key points Stephen A. and Shannon Sharpe highlighted is Curry’s ability to bend defenses in ways that no other player can. While most players rely on specific spots to be effective, Curry’s range extends practically to half-court. This forces teams to defend him in ways they’re not used to, leaving gaps that other players can exploit.

Shannon explained how this impacts team strategy: “Curry’s gravity is something you can’t really plan for. You have to guard him 30 feet out, and that creates lanes for guys like Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins. Even when Curry isn’t scoring, he’s annihilating your defense by pulling everyone out of position.”

Stephen A. agreed, adding, “The moment he crosses half-court, you’ve got guys chasing him. It’s psychological warfare out there. You can’t afford to leave him open for even a second, and that makes everyone else’s job easier. Steph has made defenses obsolete when it comes to guarding the 3.”

Exposing the Defense’s Weaknesses

One of the most revealing aspects of Curry’s 3-point prowess, according to Stephen A. and Shannon, is how it exposes traditional defensive schemes. Sharpe pointed out that teams who rely on their big men to protect the paint are often caught off guard when Curry starts hitting deep threes.

“You got big men out there looking lost, trying to switch onto Steph 35 feet from the hoop,” Sharpe said. “These are guys who aren’t used to defending the perimeter, and Curry’s just too quick, too smooth with his dribble. He gets them on their heels, and it’s over.”

Stephen A. took it a step further, arguing that Curry’s dominance has forced teams to rethink their entire defensive philosophies: “What Steph Curry has done is expose the limitations of conventional defense. The idea that you can clog the paint and stop the game’s best scorers doesn’t work when you’ve got a guy pulling up from 40 feet. Teams are stuck between trying to double him and leaving their rim open for easy buckets.”

The Numbers Don’t Lie: Curry’s Historic Efficiency

During the debate, both Stephen A. and Shannon backed up their arguments with stats. Shannon emphasized just how efficient Curry is from deep, especially considering the volume of shots he takes. “Most guys can’t shoot above 40% from three on a high volume of shots,” Sharpe said. “But Steph? He’s shooting it at 42%, 43%, and he’s taking 10, 11 threes a game. That’s insane.”

Stephen A. pointed out that Curry’s shooting has consistently destroyed the narrative that volume scorers have to sacrifice efficiency. “When you have a guy who shoots as many threes as Steph does and still hits them at that rate, you’re witnessing something unprecedented in NBA history,” Smith said. “He’s not just a good shooter, he’s the shooter, and no one else is even close.”

What’s Next for Defenses? Can Anyone Stop the 3-Point Annihilation?

The discussion ultimately turned to what, if anything, teams can do to stop Curry’s 3-point barrage. Shannon Sharpe noted that while teams have tried different strategies—such as switching everything, trapping Curry at half-court, or going small to match his speed—nothing has consistently worked.

“The reality is, there’s no blueprint,” Sharpe said. “You can’t teach what Steph Curry does. The only thing teams can do is hope he misses, but good luck with that.”

Stephen A. echoed the sentiment, pointing out that Curry’s intelligence and experience make him even harder to defend now than in his earlier years. “Steph has seen it all,” Smith said. “He’s been double-teamed, trapped, blitzed, and he always finds a way. And now, with all that experience, he’s better at reading defenses and exploiting their weaknesses.”

Conclusion: Curry’s Legacy of Annihilation

Both Stephen A. and Shannon Sharpe agreed that Stephen Curry’s 3-point shooting has completely annihilated traditional defenses, exposing them in ways no one could have anticipated when Curry first entered the league. His combination of range, efficiency, and basketball IQ has made him virtually unguardable, and it’s clear that Curry’s impact on the game goes far beyond the numbers.

“He’s a walking nightmare for defenses,” Stephen A. concluded. “What he’s done to the game is historic. Teams are going to have to adapt or get run over, because this 3-point annihilation isn’t going away anytime soon.”