Over the last three years, the Cavaliers vs Warriors rivalry has been cemented with their three consecutive Finals appearance. And while it's a given that the players of both teams will be throwing shade at each other every now and then, one ex-Cavalier might have gone a bit too far. According to Dahntay Jones, King Warrior Steph Curry isn't part of the top 10 players in the NBA today. The shooting guard says the two-time MVP and two-time NBA Champion is just in his "11, 12."
Dahntay Jones on Stephen Curry: "I don't declare him a top 10 player"
The 20th overall pick in 2003 has been a veteran for 13 years but has barely seen minutes in his last two seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He played in only one regular season game in each of his two seasons with the Cavs, but sitting on the sidelines has given him enough time to review the top players in the league. Speaking on the Barstool Sports podcast, Jones said Curry is "outside" his top 10.
"People get mad at me because I don't declare him a top 10 player in the NBA, which is fine," the former Duke guard.
"He bloomed late, like Tom Brady...(Curry) having the patience, the confidence and the courage to keep fighting all those battles, that's what makes him good right now."
Jones added that while he recognizes that Steph is "very good, don't get it twisted...defense weighs highly" on his list. He went on to say that Draymond Green is probably the most important player on the Warriors roster.
So who is on Dahntay Jones' top 10 NBA players list?
He says LeBron James is number one, followed by Kawhi Leonard at two and Kevin Durant at number three. His next seven are Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Paul George, John Wall, Chris Paul, Jimmy Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Anthony Davis.
Who is Dahntay Jones?
Young fans of the NBA may be wondering who Dahntay Jones is and why his list matters.
Well, Jones was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2003 but was quickly traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. He played for four seasons with the Grizzlies before moving to the Sacramento Kings and then Denver Nuggets. He then suited up for the Indiana Pacers from 2009-2012, with his best career year being his first with the Pacers.
He jumped from one team to another in the next three seasons before landing in the Cavaliers roster in 2015. He played for one regular season game and 15 in the playoffs, averaging 3.3 minutes and 1.1 points. The Cleveland Cavaliers went on to win the NBA Championship that year. In 2016-17, Jones again clocked in one regular season game and ten playoff games. The Golden State Warriors brought back the Larry O'Brien trophy to the Bay that year, with Steph Curry logging in 37.6 minutes per game with 26.8 points per game, 9.4 assists and eight rebounds.
