NBA: Stephen Curry headlines a redrafting of the 2009 draft class

1. LA Clippers – Stephen Curry, Davidson

With the first pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the LA Clippers select Stephen Curry, from Davidson.

The man who “ruined the league.” The best shooter in the history of the NBA. For his career, Steph Curry averages 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists on an absurd 48-44-91 shooting splits and a career PER of 23.8. His resume includes being a two-time NBA MVP, six-time NBA All-Star, being named to six All-NBA teams, an NBA scoring title, a steals title, winning the NBA’s 3-Point Contest, being a member of the 50-40-90 club, and winning three NBA Championships.

Although he had made a name for himself in the 2008 NCAA Tournament, there were questions about whether or not Curry could play at the next level. Was he too small? Was his defense too much of a liability? Would his scoring translate to the NBA?

The short answer is yes, he absolutely can play at the next level.

After two very solid seasons in the league, Curry suffered an ankle injury that would require surgery. Then, before the start of the 2012-13 season, Curry signed a contract extension with Golden State (four-years, $44 million). That contract changed the NBA forever. After he signed that contract Steph Curry’s career took off and he became the Steph Curry that we know today.

In the 2012-13 season, Curry’s numbers took their first jump. Then the following (2013-14) season, they took another jump as he made his first All-Star and All-NBA team. Then came the 2014-15 season. That is the season where it became Steph Curry’s league.

In 2014-15, Steph averaged 23.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and two steals per game on 49-44-91 from the field. He broke his own record for 3-pointers made in a season with 286. He won his first NBA Championship and was named league MVP.

Then came the 2015-16 season. He averaged 30.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 2.1 steals in a season where he joined the 50-40-90 club, shooting 50 percent from the field, 45 percent from 3, and 91 percent from the free-throw line. He shattered his own record for 3-pointers made in a season with 402 3’s made for a Warriors team that won 73 games in the regular season, breaking the 1996 Bulls record.

While he was unable to capture a title at the end of this historic season, he still managed to break Danny Green‘s record for 3’s made in an NBA Finals series. Following the season he was named as the first unanimous MVP in league history. Winning his second MVP in as many years.

Kevin Durant would come to town following the 2016 season, and the Warriors and Curry would go on to win back to back titles in 2017 and 2018, further cementing the mark Curry has made on the game of basketball. He is the best shooter in the history of the NBA. Steph will go down as someone who changed the way the game is played. He is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and a top 10-15 player of all time.

In the class of 2009 redraft knowing what we know now, Steph Curry is the top overall pick, going first to the Clippers.