Shannon Sharpe came to the defense of Steph Curry, comparing his competitive spirit to Michael Jordan’s after the Warriors point guard told Chris Paul ‘this ain’t 2014 no more’ on Monday night – a day before his 35th birthday.
On a night when he had 23 points on an efficient 7-of-13 shooting, including 4-of 6 on 3-pointers, Curry took his matchup with Paul to another level. Specifically, Curry referenced previous battles in Paul’s prime, when he played for the LA Clippers and Houston Rockets.
Curry’s most impressive bucket was an and-one layup along the baseline, where he overpowered the 37-year-old Paul after appearing to be trapped in the corner. After adding two points on the board and drawing contact, Curry appears to have said: ‘This ain’t 2014 no more.’
Sharpe, too, came out firing, defending the four-time NBA champion’s on-court antics, which were labeled as ‘disrespectful.’
‘I ain’t got a problem with it whatsoever,’ Sharpe said on the latest episode of Fox Sports’ Undisputed on Tuesday. ‘I mean, Steph has always been like this. What do you think he’s doing when he shoots the ball then turns around and runs up court? What do you think he does when he shoots the shot, Skip, and he know he shimmy it, or he’s got his tongue hanging out. He’s taking his mouthpiece and he’s skipping up and down the court.’
NO. 1 FAN: Shannon Sharpe defended Steph Curry’s on-court disrespectfulness, comparing it to Michael Jordan’s trash talk back in the day
Curry bullied Chris Paul, 37, while going for a layup in Monday night’s Suns-Warriors matchup
Curry, who turns 35 today, was caught on camera saying ‘this ain’t 2014 no more’ after the foul
‘Steph has always been disrespectful. Steve Kerr and his teammates have tried to tell you, Steph Curry is an assassin. He’s more like Jordan than you think. Just because he’s not in your face and he wasn’t in Chris Paul’s face when he said that. He turned around: ”this isn’t 2014.” He said: ”I’m different and you are very different.”’
Paul told reporters postgame ‘I don’t know what happened in 2014?’ – perhaps forgetting that he and the Clippers eliminating the Warriors from the playoffs nine years ago.
However, that was the last time the veteran guard would have the upper hand on his younger rival of two years. The next season, Curry won the first of his two MVPs, leading the Warriors to 67 wins and the first of their four NBA titles over the next eight years.
Golden State then knocked Paul’s Rockets from the playoffs two years later.
Related Post
‘You remember what Kobe [Bryant] did the last time he played Jordan? He dropped 55 on his head. The ultimate sign of respect is that when you got the old gunslinger and you got him down, you take him out,’ Sharpe added.
‘Skip…CP3 is from North Carolina. Steph Curry grew up in North Carolina, Charlotte. I think Chris Paul is from Greensboro, I mean Winston Salem. So he’s very familiar with Chris Paul, probably looked up to Chris Paul and said ”that is my chance. this ain’t 2014 no more. You remember how you used to dog me like a little light Steph? How you used to steer me around and bully me around? That ain’t happening no more, bruh. We had a different place and time in our careers and I’m gonna let you have it, let you know what you’re in for.”
‘I got no problem with it,’ Sharpe the pointed out. ‘That’s the evolution of the game. Is that what you see is that guy you looked up to…I think Drake said ”idols become rivals” and now I’m the top dog, I’m the head chief, I’m the head honcho.’
‘I got no problem with Steph Curry because, like I said, Skip, people have tried to tell us for the longest time: ”Y’all see that cute, little cuddling baby face?” And y’all think that’s what he is? He’s nothing like that on the court. He’s different and he’s short. I love it. I love all of that. I love the bravado. Aye, let it lose Steph, give it to him!’
Sharpe said Curry & Paul’s rivalry was like Kobe Bryant’s competitiveness with Michael Jordan
Following the Warriors’ 112-123 win, Curry’s wife, Ayesha, shared adorable, never-before-seen pictures and a loving message to her husband of 12 years on Instagram.
‘Happy Birthday to my love!!! 35 trips around the sun! Wow! I love everything about you but your soul is unmatched. I know this will be the best year yet! Happy birthday @stephencurry.’
Ayesha’s post comes just days after the nine-time All-Star called her ‘amazing’ in another Instagram post to recognize International Women’s Day. On Valentine’s Day, Ayesha called her husband ‘my forever valentine.’
