Do people automatically assume that Curry is a bad defender because he is skinny?

[nba_55]

People act like he is handicapped on the defensive side of the floor, but when you look him play, he is a pretty good defender. Is this another case like Wiggins ( who is considered a good defender because he is a black athletic guy) or people who consider Curry a bad defender have facts to back up their claims?

[G.U.S.]

Klay gaurds the top PG's for a reason, Curry has slow lateral footwork on defense and gets blowed by non stop by quick gaurds

[JimmyMcAdocious]

It's probably because he's surrounded by good defenders who take the pressure off him and some are looking for something to criticize about his game. It sure as hell isn't going to be about his offense, "x factor" stuff (like clutch genes, making teammates better, etc), or even off the court issues. Like when some look to mock MJ, they really mostly focus on his post-playing career. Same goes with the other legends. Bird gets attacked for his defense (and he wasn't even a bad defender), being white, and his era because you can't really attack anything else about his game.

[jimmy77x]

The haters need some to grasp at. Attacking his defense is the last thing they have left. He's an average defender but not as bad as the haters will tell you he is.

[STATUTORY]

it's cause he's light skinned

[Inferno]

Basically. He has quick hands and is always disrupting passes and getting steals. Not a great defender, but not a bad one either.

[outbreak]

It's because he's not a good defender. But they act like he is a bad defender when he's still solid just that's his biggest weakness so easiest to attack

[sd3035]

One of the best defenders this year at his position, deserves all defense honors

[outbreak]

One of the best defenders this year at his position, deserves all defense honors

Curry deserves all the awards

[ZMonkey11]

One of the best defenders this year at his position, deserves all defense honors

How can you be considered one of the best at your position when your coach won't let you guard the best at your position?

Just like everybody else said, he's an average defender. Does he play the passing lanes well? Yes. But on-ball defense, he is not great.

[guy]

He's not a bad defender, not great either. It seems like there's a common habit amongst fans to call someone a bad defender and a liability if he's not an elite defender. They don't assume there's any middle ground.

[Inferno]

How can you be considered one of the best at your position when your coach won't let you guard the best at your position?

Just like everybody else said, he's an average defender. Does he play the passing lanes well? Yes. But on-ball defense, he is not great.

He was guarding Russ a decent amount last night. To be fair I only got to watch the 1st and 4th quarters + overtime though.

[Achilleas]

the biggest problem is the coaches
klay is good on ball defender and average off ball defender
curry good off ball defender and average on ball defender
if the opposite team has a shooter like reddick i prefer curry to mark him

but there are many bad coaches like mark jackson who prefers every player to mark their position and then their team will play bad defence

kerr is smart coach ,he want players to mark where they are good

[nathanjizzle]

perception is indeed a factor. but he truly is a mismatched defender.

[navy]

He was guarding Russ a decent amount last night. To be fair I only got to watch the 1st and 4th quarters + overtime though.

He didnt do a good job.

However, Curry's defense has been better than Westbrook's this year for what it's worth.