Stephen Curry has long held the mantle of the best shooter in the world. Apart from being a high-volume scorer, the Baby Face Assassin is a perimeter threat like arguably no other. Curry can make shots from nearly anywhere on the court. Moreover, this season he is having one of his best offensive years yet. However, despite the insane numbers, there is one man who might be trumping him as a shooter this season. That is the Brooklyn Nets’ Yuta Watanabe. During a press conference, Kyrie Irving gave his teammates the ultimate praise.

Watanabe is one of the leading undrafted talents showing out this season. The Japan international first burst into popularity with an unfortunate cause. Notably, the 28-year-old was at the end of possibly one the nastiest dunks in recent history last year with Anthony Edwards climbing the ladder. However, that was two seasons ago. Times have changed since then. Playing for his third team in his fourth season, he is having a career year so far.

Watanabe has turned himself into a sniper, leading the NBA in three-point percentage. Likewise, his teammate Kyrie Irving kept him atop the pedestal by calling the 28-year-old the best shooter in the world at the moment.

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Yuta Watanabe is enjoying his best season in the NBA so far. The Brooklyn Nets forward is averaging career-highs in nearly all aspects of the game. A crucial piece off the bench, he is averaging 8.1 points per game in his 14 appearances so far. However, perhaps his most impressive improvement has been from the three-point range. Notably, Watanabe leads the NBA with a staggering 57.1% three-point percentage so far. In comparison, Stephen Curry is having his third-best season while shooting 44.4%.

Kyrie Irving places Nets teammate above Stephen Curry

Likewise, Watanabe’s come-up has visibly added a different dimension to the Nets’ offense. Taking over the role of Joe Harris, Watanabe has left a particular impression in the eyes of Kyrie Irving. Notably, he said, “He’s the best shooter in the world right now. Stats prove it right now. He’s the best shooter in the best league in the world right now”. 

NBA fans had plenty of reactions following Irving’s comments. Here are some of the reactions from NBA Twitter:

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Watanabe has shown a steep advancement in his range shooting. The Japanese international is nearly doubling his numbers from last season. However, his role is still far different from that of Stephen Curry. Through 14 games. the 28-year-old has attempted 42 threes. He has become the go-to shooter for the Nets while coming off the bench.

Stephen Curry is the center of the Golden State Warriors‘ perimeter offense. The sharpshooter is one of the leading scorers in the league putting up 31.6 points per game so far. Defenses crumble trying to stop the four-time champion. Without him, the Bay would have no hopes of bouncing back from their initial struggles to begin the season. The Warriors sit 11th on the Western Conference table with a 9-11 record so far.

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Do you think Yuta Watanabe is the best shooter in the league? Let us know your views in the comments below.