
USA Today via Reuters
Apr 15, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) follows through on a shot after making a three point basket against the Sacramento Kings in the second quarter during game one of the 2023 NBA playoffs at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Apr 15, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) follows through on a shot after making a three point basket against the Sacramento Kings in the second quarter during game one of the 2023 NBA playoffs at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Stephen Curry has revolutionized the game with his creative moves and new milestones. He has changed the definition of “good shot”. The Chef has stretched the ambit of the basketball court, spreading across 35+ feet more or so. In this manner, many players have followed suit and have expanded their range too.
This holds true for all the positions, not just the Guard. And now on the same lines, a seven-foot one-inch Center is evolving his game.
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Stephen Curry’s deep imprint on the game
The league in past has produced big sharpshooters, like Dave DeBusschere, Sam Perkins, and many more. In the current era, the volume of these big men has increased at an unprecedented level. Dirk Nowitzki changed the game too and could have fit right in the current era.
The assortment of big men who can shoot keeps growing and the Center position has especially seen the biggest change. Despite that, there are still Seven-footers who struggle from deep. Clint Capela is yet to make a three-pointer in his career but above him, there is one more player.
Rudy Gobert has the most points in the current era without a three-pointer.
Most points by an active player with zero three pointers made:
7,592 — Rudy Gobert
5,851 — Clint Capela pic.twitter.com/IXBsc2n1oH— StatMuse (@statmuse) August 27, 2022
His main job is to protect the rim, give paint production, and collect rebounds. His role has limited him mostly to the paint or patrolling defensive lines. The three-times Defensive Player of the Year has been serious about working on his shooting too.
Currently, he is with the French National Team to prepare for the upcoming FIBA World Cup. Videos of him shooting from deep have been going viral. During one of the early videos, he was seen nailing long-range jumpers from the left wing.
— 50 Nuances Média 🎬 (@50NuancesMedias) August 7, 2023
He made an in-game three-pointer against Montenegro, which he termed akin to losing “virginity”. Then, he created a huge buzz for making back-to-back half-court shots too. This invoked memories of Steph Curry.
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His latest video has not only sparked further interest in his shooting but has also brought some critiques.
Do these practices mean anything?
In the video posted by NBA Central, Rudy Gobert is practicing shooting again. He starts by making a three from the left corner, then he makes four in a row from the left wing and swishes one again from the left corner. The Center surely loves the left side when it comes to shooting. Upon watching this video, Chicago Bulls‘ Guard Patrick Beverley who is his harsh critic, was appearing to take a jibe at him. The six-feet one-inch Guard quipped, “Shoot that thing Rudy 😂”
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Shoot that thing Rudy 😂 https://t.co/XVDwtezksG
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) August 11, 2023
Last year, Beverley stated that Gobert may be the Defensive Player of the Year but he runs away from guarding the best offensive players. The latest Tweet suggests a dig at the Center considering how his defense has been downplayed.
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The Center has been drawing criticism from many fans for a long time now. This is why many think that this is just him shooting in practice and won’t translate to the Regular Season.
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