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Sometimes the best excuse to marvel at Steph Curry’s singular, ongoing career isn’t a heat-check 35-footer, but rather an accomplishment.
Curry’s selection as a Western Conference All-Star starter fits the description.
Curry is heading to his 12th All-Star Game, a franchise record he set last year when he passed former Philadelphia Warriors forward Paul Arizin. The honor doesn’t represent a recognition of his past greatness; it’s a statement of the longevity that has allowed him to remain one of the league’s most dominant players even at age 37.
“I love the fact that pretty much every acknowledgement you get at this point is, ‘You’re the oldest to do something,’” Curry said after he logged 19 points and 11 assists in a blowout win over Miami. “So, don’t ever take that for granted.”
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In his 17th season, Curry is averaging 27.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game. He leads the league in 3-pointers per game (4.5) while shooting 38.9% from deep. He’s hitting a scorching 59.8% of his two-point field goal attempts, his highest mark since 2020.
Curry ranked second in voting among his peers — ahead of reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — third in the fan vote, and sixth among the media contingent. The other West starters are Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Victor Wembanyama, and Nikola Jokic.
No All-Star starter besides Curry, in either conference, is over the age of 31.
“I’m thrilled for him, it’s a huge honor,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. “I can’t think of anybody at that age playing better. I know Kareem played well late in his career. Obviously, LeBron. But I just can’t imagine anybody playing at a higher level at this age than Steph. He’s been amazing all year, and I’m glad he’s being rewarded for it.”
Kerr’s instinct to think of the historical context is sharp. Twelve All-Star selections is tied for the sixth-most ever.
Curry is now the 14th player to be named an All-Star after turning 37. The others are a who’s who from NBA history, most of whom only need one name: Kareem, LeBron, Jordan, Malone, Stockton, Dirk, Wade, Kobe, Duncan, Nash, John Havlicek, and Johnny Green (with the Cincinnati Royals).
The list shrinks even more for guards, who traditionally don’t age as well. Curry still playing at this level defies history. The only 37-year-old All-Stars 6-foot-4 and shorter are Curry, Steve Nash, John Stockton, and Dwyane Wade. And Wade was a lifetime achievement selection in his final season.
They were each 37 in their final All-Star seasons. So, one more All-Star selection for Curry would put him in a class of his own among guards.
Another wrinkle for Curry’s selection: he’s now one of just 17 players to make at least 12 All-Star Games with a single franchise. It’s the kind of milestone that has become increasingly rare in recent years as superstars change teams more often in the player empowerment era.
That list? Curry, Malone, Wade, Havlicek, Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Bob Cousy, Jerry West, Bill Russell, Dolph Schayes, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Isiah Thomas. All Hall of Famers.
That’s where Curry is heading, too, of course. But maybe not any time soon.
“I appreciate everyone who voted, my teammates who continue to set the table for me to do what I do,” Curry said. “And keep pushing the envelope of what’s possible at this stage of my career. I’m very grateful, and I’m going to enjoy the weekend. But just the idea that I can get back to that level year after year, the work that goes into it, I love it. And I hope I have a couple more in the future.”