When the Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry was asked by Dan Patrick who the better offensive player was, him or LeBron James, he gave the answer most would expect him to give: Himself.

On the surface, it seems laughable.

Last season, James lead Curry in points per game (27.1- to 24.0), true shooting percentage (64.9 percent to 61.0 percent), and offensive win shares (12.3 to 9.1). The physical presence of LeBron is so formidable that it causes problems in terms of his ability in the open floor, to post up, and his perimeter jump shot is not as terrible as it used to be.

However, Stephen Curry is one of the most potent offensive players in the league. Aside from Kobe Bryant, Curry is my favorite player to watch offensively. I have given Curry the nickname of Young City but it hasn't caught on. Perhaps Shaq can help me out with that. LeBron James cannot even be mentioned in the same conversation as Stephen Curry when it comes to jump shooting. The minute Curry gets pass half court, it's hand down/man down. I mean, the boy can pull up from the arena's parking lot. That's how far Curry's range extends. This is strictly about offensive.

Young City!

While Curry is primarily a jump shooter, he shoots it so well that it doesn't matter. The vast majority of his shots are from 15 feet and beyond. He shot 48% from the field last year and averaged 24 and 8; and by the way, he also has handles and can dance on any defender anytime he wants to. He barely follows through on a lot his jump shots and it's nothing but net. He's better than 42% from 3-point range.

To not pick a player with the jump shot of Ray Allen and the handle of Allen Iverson over Lebron James offensively?! That's just crazy. As Stephen A. Smith would say, "He's a bad boy!"

Embarrassing Dudes

Young City!

The Steeze Report will be conducting our very own "Went From Top 5 To Not Mentioned At All" series of posts over the next week or so.  We will be highlighting the top NBA players(in no particular order despite the numbers associated with them) who have plummeted from the heights of superstardom to becoming damn near scrubs.  Here is our first entry in the series.

Drake looking mofo

#1 Deron Williams

The $98 million dollar man has been missing in action for years now. Here's a guy, while playing for the Utah Jazz, was one of the top 2 point guards in the league. There was a time when you talked about the elite point guards in the game and most would ask "Chris Paul or Deron Williams?" Now, you can go 5 to 10 names deep before you would pick Williams. Sadly, injuries and McDonalds have done Williams in. As recently as 2012, Slam Magazine had Williams ranked as the 7th best player in the entire NBA!  Of Williams, Slam Magazine stated that, 

The thing is when you looked back at those days, you could speak reverently about everyone else at that time, but when you look at October of 2010, there is still one man standing; one man who is now the best point guard in basketball, and did it in a way that should be applauded and appreciated…and that man is Deron Williams.

It appears that Williams is more of a system player. He was great in Jerry Sloan's offense, which was a two guard offense. When he played at Illinois, he played in a system. System offenses like the Triangle or Princeton offenses suit Williams well. However when you take him out of a system, and he has to call the plays and setup the offense he's not as good.

No longer a debate

If the rumors are true that Tony Parker will retire after the 2016 Olympics in a few years, perhaps Williams should give the San Antonio Spurs a try; assuming coach Popovich, Kawhi Leonard(aka "Sugar K. Leonard") and Tim Duncan stick around.

Check back tomorrow for our next pick in our "Went From Top 5 To Not Mentioned At All" series. Leave a comment with your picks.

Steve Kerr has no resume. I do not think he will be a good head coach. He was an executive with the Phoenix suns. Kerr does not seem to have the edge required to be a NBA head coach. He is a very nice; probably too nice. all the hoopla around Steve Kerr becoming the next Knicks coach seems to have started with Phil Jackson. Kerr has become the hot candidate for this upcoming season because of Jackson's endorsement.

Kerr is a former player of Jackson's. Jackson probably sees Kerr as easily controllable. In Kerr, Jackson envisions an extension of himself. if Jackson is not going to coach himself, the closest thing he can get to himself is Steve Kerr. Why go through the stress and heavy travel demands of a head coaching position, when you can sit in a nice executive office with a nice cushy chair, meditate, and drink tea all day.(At least that's what we've been conditioned to think of when we think of the "Zen master" anyways) Jackson better hope and pray that Kerr is not persuaded to stay on the west coast, where Kerr grew up and prefers to live, to coach the Golden state warriors or the Los Angeles Lakers.

That is not likely thought, as ESPN reports that:

Sources told ESPN.com that the Warriors fear Kerr is "too deep" in talks with the Knicks and new shot-caller Phil Jackson to convince Kerr to rebuff Jackson now, despite Kerr's close relationship with Warriors owner Joe Lacob and team president Rick Welts, as well as Golden State's proximity to Kerr's offseason home in San Diego. But sources also stressed that Stan Van Gundy is actually the closest thing to a top target at this early stage of Golden State's search for a successor to the fired Mark Jackson, based at least in part on the premise that an experienced coach can ensure that the Warriors maintain upward momentum in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.

But here is what Sports Illustrated is reporting as of today:

The New York Post’s Marc Berman reported Friday that the New York Knicks have no problem with TNT analyst Steve Kerr completing his television duties through the end of the playoffs before becoming the team’s head coach. The report also provides a glimpse at the type of money and terms Kerr is seeking in a deal to work for new Knicks president Phil Jackson or possibly the Golden State Warriors. Kerr’s agent is Mike Tannenbaum, the former Jets general manager. It is believed Tannenbaum is seeking a five-year deal for Kerr, the same length as Jackson’s. It is also believed Kerr is seeking a similar financial deal as Mike D’Antoni had when he inked a four-year, $24 million pact with the Knicks in 2008. Jackson and owner James Dolan might have to overpay to get Kerr to move across the country. The Knicks are still considered the front-runners for Kerr, who won’t see his TNT postseason duties end until late may or early June. Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reported Friday that Kerr will make his decision no later than Monday. 

"I'm more comfortable here"

Ultimately, I think Steve Kerr would be uncomfortable coaching for any team other than the Knicks.  At this point, I believe Kerr will either decide to coach the Knicks or stay with TNT.  Since this is playing out longer than I expected, my bet is on TNT; though it would be hard to turn down that kind of money. 

During ABC's NBA pregame show for the Clippers/Warriors game, Jeff Van Gundy offered up an interesting solution to the Donald Sterling situation. Van Gundy on what the league could/should do:

"I would like to see him suspended,... Donald Sterling suspended indefinitely until he transfers power of the team to someone else or sells the team. And if not, if he is kept in charge and he is allowed to keep owning the team then I think Doc Rivers and every player should have the right to go the commissioner and be declared a free agent..."

WOW. Is this even possible according to the NBA bylaws and player contracts? The Steeze Report tried to look into the possibility of this happening but was unable to find any verifiable information on this. Time will tell if this is possible or not. Sterling has a reputation for never selling anything he buys.  He still owns real estate properties from 1981.  Despite the fact that Sterling is married, he clearly has relationships with other women who are still in their teens(just like Dr. Buss did); one of them exposing him on the audio tape the world has heard repeatedly.  I cannot help but think that Sterling is still married simply to avoid having to split all his assets up with wife, assuming there is no prenuptial agreement.  A man that determined to hang on to his possessions will not sell a professional basketball team because of some controversy.  Unless there is a way to force him to sell, which seems impossible(and should be impossible) in a capitalistic society, I do not think Sterling sells the Los Angeles Clippers.

All in all though, wouldn't it be something if the league offers every Clippers player instant free agency as punishment to Donald Sterling, and then they all moved across the hall and played for the Lakers? Now that would be an enormous turn of events. With the recent news that the L.A. Lakers are going to stick with D'Antoni for next season, they may want to reconsider that if the entire Clipper team and coach Doc Rivers are looking for a new team next season. If you're a Clipper and you have a home and a family situated in Los Angeles already, why leave? Just a thought.

"It's whatever..."

You Probably Never Seen This Man's Face Before

Meet Paul Allen. According to Forbes, Paul Allen is the 26th wealthiest person in America with an estimated net worth of $15.8 BILLION. As people on television and radio always say, that's BILLION with a "b." Allen's fortune was earned through his founding of Microsoft. I know what your thinking; "I thought Bill Gates founded Microsoft?" He did. Allen was the far less famous co-founder. There always seems to be a far less famous co-founder(see Wozniak and Apple Inc.,etc.)

"Take a seat Paul. I'll take all the spotlight."

So with such a vast fortune, what does one do with it? Venture capitalism? Check. Start other companies? Check. Buy professional sports teams? Definitely.  Allen also owns two professional sports teams, the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL),  and the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).  He is also part-owner of the Seattle Sounders FC, which joined Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2009.  Allen bought the Portland Trailblazers for $70 million in 1988.  Allen's acquisition of the Seattle Seahawks came a few years later in 1997.  Allen bought the Seattle Seahawks for about $200 million, plus $130 million toward a new, $430 million stadium to replace the Kingdome.  Chump change to a billionaire.  Forbes now has the Seattle Seahawks valued at $1.08 Billion and the Portland Trailblazers at $356 Million.(Even the most expensive NBA teams do not compare to the cost of the cheapest NFL teams)

With the Seattle Seahawks winning the Superbowl this year, Allen only needs for the Portland Trailblazers to win the NBA finals this year to complete his dominance of America's most popular sports. With Aldridge and Lillard playing at a high level, I wouldn't bet against them.(The best inside-outside duo since Shaq and Kobe?)  The Portland Trailblazers are currently leading in their series 3 games to 1.  Anything Allen owns seems to win.

The Real Billionaire Boys Club

As mentioned previously on the Steeze Report, TNT's coverage of the National Basketball Association is superior to ESPN's coverage.  It is not even close. TNT delivers on both basketball analysis and entertainment value.  As our very own AJ has stated in a previous post, "TNT is by far my favorite network that covers the NBA. Not only is the Inside The NBA Crew the best, but their in game commentators such as Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Mike Fratello, and Chris Webber are also great. Listening to Steve Kerr tonight after listening to that clown Jeff Van Gundy on ESPN only makes me appreciate TNT more." There's never a dull moment.  However, there is hope for ESPN.  I have a solution for them.  Here is what I propose:

Starting next NBA season, ESPN should introduce a NBA post game show that should IMMEDIATELY follow all of their games, much in the same way TNT does with "Inside the NBA."  In doing so, ESPN will retain its viewers who were just watching the game.  Currently, ESPN "kicks it" to sportscenter after every game.  The problem with immediately going to sportscenter is in the lack of in-depth coverage and analysis. A game will end and jump right into sportscenter, which will talk about the game that just aired for 10 to 20 minutes at most and then move on to one of the million baseball highlights. Simply move sportscenter to ESPN2 and allow your new post game show to build a following.  Name it whatever you like.

Now what should be for the format of this new show and who should star in it?  Currently, during the rare times ESPN has post game shows, they have a sportscenter anchor, Bill Simmons, Jalen Rose, and Coach Collins.  Magic Johnson and Michael Wilbon were removed before the start of the season.  I think they need to keep Jalen Rose and Bill Simmons, and dump the sportscenter anchor( usually Sage Steele) and Coach Collins.  From here, ESPN should get a new "hipper" host or just have it be Simmons and Rose.  Essentially, what I am trying to do here is to get ESPN to deliver as much entertainment and AUTHENTIC/NON-CHEESY banter between the analyst, while at the same time delivering valuable basketball analysis.

The best time to be taught something about the game is immediately after you've viewed it.  Most of the plays are still fresh in your mind.  I would not mind if they even added Scott van Pelt and Ryen Russillo.  I enjoy watching the "SVP & Russillo" show on ESPN. If you have not watched them, I suggest you check them out.  Further still, I enjoyed listening to Russillo's audio-only NBA podcast when I used to take public transportation to my University a few years back.

The ebb and flow of the show needs to be as organic as possible.  ESPN needs to drop the scripted shows.  Just let your talent fill in the blanks.  ESPN is too stiff right now.  To achieve this, Simmons and Rose should simply move their Grantland YouTube channel to ESPN and have that be the post game show for them.  And yes, Rose should keep the bat he holds in every video.  If you have not seen their YouTube shows yet, check it out on bottom of this post.  There is some talent at ESPN; they're just not being used correctly and in the right spots.  Follow my plan, and ESPN's basketball coverage will no longer be a joke.  Just a suggestion.

Additional suggestions ESPN should implement that are easier to pull off:

1. Stay away from hyperbolic statements.  Not every great performance by LeBron or any other NBA star makes them the best ever.
2. I've grown to like Mike Breen but ESPN should still acquire Marv Albert from TNT to cover the NBA Finals.  This is ABC and Walt Disney we're talking about here.  Surely, they have enough money to sign the voice of the NBA.(Add Doug Collins along with him)
3. Have the post game hosts and analysts also do the pregame and halftime coverage.(Scott Van Pelt, Russillo, Rose, & Simmons)
4. Invite Stephen Jackson on the post game show frequently for entertainment.  If he works out, maybe bring him on permanently.(Jackson could be ESPN's Charles Barkley.)

The Eastern Conference finally stopped Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin -- then stopped its losing streak at the NBA All-Star Game. The East rallied for a 163-155 victory over the West on Sunday night in the highest-scoring All-Star Game ever. Fresh off another NBA All Star Weekend, here are some random thoughts on the All Star game itself, the players, & All Star Saturday night.

1. Put Paul George Back in the Oven

He's not ready yet.  Watching the NBA All Star game, it was clear to me that Paul George was being deferential to LeBron & Durant.  At the onset of the game, it was clear that Durant and LeBron were taking the game very seriously.  LeBron was playing the passing lanes aggressively and Durant was gunning it early.

George is about where Durant was 1 or even 2 years ago mentally.  He's not yet completely confident and COMFORTABLE being as good as he is.  Just from watching his performance in this game, my expectations for the Pacers has shifted.  No longer am I looking to George to lead them past the Miami Heat and into the NBA Finals.  If the Pacers are to advance past the Miami Heat during these upcoming NBA Playoffs, it will have to be a team effort.  Don't expect George to carry the load just yet; the cookies are not done yet.

2. Durant is Coming

Remember my critique of Durant in last year's NBA All Star Game?  Well, Durant is ready now.  In an interview with TNT's Craig Sager this weekend, Durant stated "I want to play one on one with somebody out there on Sunday, for a few minutes, but we'll see how that goes."  Sager followed up by asking "Would that somebody be LeBron James?" to which Durant replied "Probably, yeah."  That skinny man is hungry! Watch out LeBron! Durant is coming for your neck!

8.5/10

3. That John Wall Dunk Was Overrated.

Not much to add to that.  It was good. Not Great, not bad, just good.

East vs West? No Thanks

4. Switch Back to the Original Dunk Contest Format Please

I was confused by the format at times.  The "ending" was even more confusing.  Have you ever seen the movie "No Country for Old Men?"  That movie seems to just end.  It's almost as if they ran out of money and had to stop filming; though some sites offer up some interesting interpretations of the final scene.  Simply put, the final 3 dunkers should have had to dunk at least one more time to determine a winner.  Strange.

Carmelo: the Only One Making Them

5. To Many 3-Point Attempts

This year's NBA All Star Game had the highest combined point total in NBA history.  This was probably due to the ridiculous amount of 3-Pointers everyone was shooting.  Stephen Curry was 2 for 11,  Durant was 6 for 17, & Carmelo was 8 for 13.  Terrible percentages for most of the All Stars in this game.  No wonder not a single shot was blocked the entire game!

6. Stephen Curry Was Nervous

Curry just was not himself.  2 for 11 from deep?  That is not the Curry I know.  He was clearly a little nervous being in his first All Star Game.  The All Star game has always favored the perimeter players, and this was Curry's time to shine.  Did I mention that he performed poorly in the 3-Point Contest as well? Maybe next year in NYC, he'll be more comfortable and put on a good show.

7. Who Was Playing Blake Griffin?

No one was.

Shaqtin a Fool

8. Dropped Rising Stars MVP Trophy?

Was the MVP trophy dropped or did it simply break on its own?  Watching it live, it looked like the guy dropped it, but in slow motion it appears as if the trophy just falls apart on its own.