NBA: Marcus Smart On Stopping Stephen Curry: 'Keep Bumping Him'

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart shared an effective way he learned to stop Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry.

Among the most lethal shooters in the NBA today, Curry is arguably the most difficult to guard. The Warriors star has proven that he is a versatile scorer and can hurt the opposing team in different ways. However, Smart believes that he has figured out a way to limit Curry’s explosiveness.

In his “The Players’ Tribune: The 5 Toughest Players I’ve Ever Guarded,” Smart described how hard it is to go toe-to-toe with Curry. According to Smart, Curry can score even if his defender already put on a tremendous amount of defense on him.

“There’s no such thing as a bad shot for Steph. He can hit from anywhere. He’s liable to shoot from half-court and hit it. Even when you’re right up on him, that little inch of space you leave because you think you’re close enough? You’re not,” Smart described.

Smart even added that playing against Curry feels like playing for the whole “48 minutes.” At 6-foot-3 and 227 lbs, Smart has the weight of an average power forward, this is why he learned to use his “size advantage” whenever he play Curry.

“You have to deny him the ball. Stay connected to him at all times. Which is tough because when you play against Steph … bring your running shoes — it’s a track meet. It’s a true 48-minute game,” Smart said.

“For me, I just try to use my size against Steph,” Smart continued.

According to Smart, playing physical defense has always worked well for him when guarding Curry. Based on his assessment, it is still easier said than done but he has had success in stopping the 2015 NBA MVP by repeatedly “bumping” him.

“It’s my job to be physical with him — knock him off his cuts and get over every screen. If he’s driving to the basket, force him to my help and make him shoot over the bigs. Wear him down,” Smart explained.

“It’s all easier said than done. But if I can keep bumping him and getting him off his rhythm, make him uncomfortable and, like I said, deny him the ball, that’s when I have the advantage,” Smart continued.

Despite being a bit confident about knowing how to stop Curry, Smart still considers the Warriors sharpshooter as “fearless and unstoppable.”

“Steph is fearless. As close to unstoppable as any shooter I’ve ever guarded. And definitely the best shooter of all time,” Smart said.