Mad Dog Reveals His Top 5 Greatest Players Of All Time; Excludes Magic, Kobe, Curry, And Durant
Mad Dog Reveals His Top 5 Greatest Players Of All Time; Excludes Magic, Kobe, Curry, And Durant
Chris Russo’s controversial comments on Stephen Curry’s place among NBA greats sparks intense debate and scrutiny.
UPDATED:
FEB 15, 2024
ORIGINAL:
FEB 15, 2024
NBA NEWS & MEDIA
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo’s recent comments on ESPN’s First Take have sparked controversy and outrage among NBA fans, particularly those who hold Stephen Curry in high regard. Russo’s exclusion of Curry from his top five greatest players of all time list, along with his dismissive characterization of Curry as a “nice shooter,” has drawn sharp criticism and condemnation.
“How do I make him top five ever when I got Kareem, Wilt, Russell, and LeBron and Jordan? That’s five right there. I didn’t give you Magic, I didn’t give you Bird, I didn’t give you Duncan, I didn’t give you Shaq.”
“I mean, how in the world could he be top five? He’s not even better than Durant, and I’m not putting Durant in the top 10. He’s a nice shooter. Nobody’s arguing with that.”

Credit: Fadeaway World
Mad Dog Reveals His Top 5 Greatest Players Of All Time; Excludes Magic, Kobe, Curry, And Durant
Chris Russo’s controversial comments on Stephen Curry’s place among NBA greats sparks intense debate and scrutiny.
UPDATED:
FEB 15, 2024
ORIGINAL:
FEB 15, 2024
NBA NEWS & MEDIA
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo’s recent comments on ESPN’s First Take have sparked controversy and outrage among NBA fans, particularly those who hold Stephen Curry in high regard. Russo’s exclusion of Curry from his top five greatest players of all time list, along with his dismissive characterization of Curry as a “nice shooter,” has drawn sharp criticism and condemnation.
“How do I make him top five ever when I got Kareem, Wilt, Russell, and LeBron and Jordan? That’s five right there. I didn’t give you Magic, I didn’t give you Bird, I didn’t give you Duncan, I didn’t give you Shaq.”
“I mean, how in the world could he be top five? He’s not even better than Durant, and I’m not putting Durant in the top 10. He’s a nice shooter. Nobody’s arguing with that.”
Russo’s assertion that Curry does not belong in the conversation of the top five players of all time is based on his preference for other basketball legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan.
Russo also stated that Curry is not even a top 10 player of all time, as there were Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Tim Duncan, and Shaquille O’Neal ahead of him. He further compounded the controversy by stating that Curry is not even better than Kevin Durant, who had called Curry a top 5 player of all-time.
The backlash against Russo’s comments stems from the widespread recognition of Curry’s impact on the game of basketball. As a four-time NBA champion, two-time MVP, and the all-time leader in three-pointers made, Curry has revolutionized the way the game is played and has left an indelible mark on the sport.
Russo’s characterization of Curry as merely a “nice shooter” is seen as a gross oversimplification of his skills and contributions to the game. While Curry’s elite shooting ability is undeniable, his impact transcends beyond his scoring prowess.
His ball-handling, playmaking, and leadership have been instrumental in the success of the Golden State Warriors and have earned him widespread acclaim from players, coaches, and fans alike.
Despite Russo’s attempts to downplay Curry’s legacy, the numbers speak for themselves. Curry’s accolades, records, and statistical achievements firmly establish him as one of the greatest players in NBA history. While opinions may vary on where he ranks among the all-time greats, there is little doubt that Curry’s influence on the game will be remembered for generations to come.
