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Our readers disagree with Scottie Pippen’s claim that Stephen Curry wouldn’t dominate in the 1990s
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- Our readers disagree with Scottie Pippen’s claim that Stephen Curry wouldn’t dominate in the 1990s
It is no secret that modern NBA stars are often put into an imaginary scenario about whether or not they could play in some of the past eras, and even vice versa. Could LeBron James dominate for so long if he played in an era where bruisers and hand-checking ruled the paint? Could Nikola Jokic operate with such ease when matched up against legendary big men such as Hakeem Olajuwon or Shaquille O'Neal?
And, maybe the most burning question of all, how would Stephen Curry 's three-point-heavy style of play translate in an era in which that aspect of the game often took a backseat.
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We let our readers weigh in on this particular instance, and the response? Well, they believe that the Golden State Warriors superstar would still be able to do what he does even during the 1990s.
At the time of writing, out of 5,332 votes, a convincing 84% believe Curry would have the same impact, while "only" 16% think that the influence of the greatest shooter of all time would be limited. It's a telling reflection of how much respect fans have for Curry's game and its adaptability, regardless of era.
Pippen believes Curry wouldn't be the same
The cultural talk surrounding the influence of the all-time leading three-point shooter is nothing new. However, it only got amplified when Scottie Pippen , a man who captured six championships in the 1990s with the Chicago Bulls alongside Michael Jordan, proclaimed that if the rules from the '90s were in place, Curry would just not be the same .
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"If you play by today's rules, it would be one thing. But with the rules of the 90s, Curry would not be the same," Pippen explained in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca. "If we played in his era, it would be like playing in freedom: nobody grabs you, nobody stops you. I don't know who would win."
Coming from someone who built his legacy on elite perimeter defense during one of the most physical eras in basketball history, Pippen's words naturally carried weight and stirred up discussion, leading many to chime in with their opinion. While some dismiss the narrative that the '90s defence was all that good, there are some who believe that Chef's impact would still be there, just a bit tamed by the pesky point guards of that era.
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Curry and other greats will always find a way to dominate
There is no doubt that today's rules favor offensive players much more, with the abolition of hand-checking and the spread-out offensive schemes allowing scorers to freely operate. However, on the flip side, there's little doubt that Curry, known for his relentless off-ball movement and elite conditioning and strength regimen, wouldn't adjust and find ways to dominate in an era where guys like MJ , Gary Payton and even John Stockton dictated the pace of the opposing ball handler.
Predicting how players would fare across eras is never an exact science. But one thing is clear: Hall of Fame–caliber players like Curry change the way the game is played, dominate in their own fashion, and redefine the standards of the Association. Put them in any era, and they will find ways to do their thing.
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Related: Our readers weigh in on the effect of Stephen Curry's 3-point revolution
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 6, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
