Stephen Curry Responds after Michael Jordan Says He's Not a Hall of Famer Yet

"I love MJ. That's my guy," Stephen Curry said of Michael Jordan before responding to the latter's recent claims about his absence in the Hall of Fame.

When Michael Jordan released a controversial statement that seemed to question Stephen Curry’s qualifications for the NBA Hall of Fame, fans of the Golden State Warriors MVP were quick to take offense. We knew it would only be a matter of time before Curry would be asked to respond.

That time has come and in Curry fashion, he didn’t see it as a bad thing.

"NOT A HALL OF FAMER YET"

Jordan’s comment was part of an interview with “Today” where he was asked about his dream team. In 2013, he named Hakeem Olajuwon, Magic Johnson, Scottie Pippen, and James Worthy in his lineup and he confirmed with the hosts of “Today” that they would still be his dream team in the present.

Asked if Curry should be offended by not being included in his roster, the former Chicago Bulls star replied,

“I hope not ’cause he’s still a great player. Not a Hall of Famer yet, though. He’s not.”

“I know I’m in good shape for that, but I still have a lot to prove to myself.”

"I'M COOL WITH THAT"

Jordan’s words which seemed to emphasize that Curry was not a Hall of Famer resonated with fans in a negative way. Some accused him of hating while others suggested he was threatened by the young basketball star.

However, during a recent sit-down with SiriusXM, Curry reacted differently. Instead of defending himself or retaliating, he gave Jordan the benefit of the doubt.

“I love MJ. That’s my guy,” Curry told the radio program. "But I don't know if it was a wordsmith thing or if he just kinda got in his own way, but I'm sure if you ask him that question now, like straight-up, does he think I'm getting in there, he probably would have a different answer. If you put the 'yet,' then I'm cool with that."

Curry is a three-time NBA champion, a two-time MVP, one of which was decided on unanimously, the first in the league’s history.

"I STILL HAVE A LOT TO PROVE"

In another interview with writer Matt Welty for Sole Collector as reported by Complex, Curry acknowledged that though he knows he’s good, he still has “a lot to prove.”

“I think I’m good, but then I’m never complacent,” he explained. “When you hear a guy like that who’s the greatest of all time, it’s kind of funny.

Since we’ve been on this stage, we’ve heard a lot of retired guys chiming in on this generation of basketball players and evaluating talent and saying their generation was better and all that.”

“It’s a great conversation for the fans to get in on,” Curry added. “I know I’m in good shape for that, but I still have a lot to prove to myself.”

Meanwhile, Curry’s coach, Steve Kerr had a different take on Jordan’s comments.

"I think Michael Jordan has his own Hall of Fame - in his head," Kerr said.

WHY CURRY IS DESTINED FOR THE HALL OF FAME

There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Curry will be a future Hall of Famer. In fact, according to an article on CBS Sports, with the records he’s broken so far, he doesn’t need to play another game in order to make it to the prestigious roster.

Curry is a three-time NBA champion, a two-time MVP, one of which was decided on unanimously, the first in the league’s history.

His team holds the record for regular-season wins (73) and he personally holds the record for most single-season 3-pointers with a score of 402. He is a six-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA player and has won a scoring title.

In a nutshell, according to CBS Sports, Curry is “the greatest shooter to ever play and probably the second-best point guard in history behind Magic Johnson.”

That being said, Curry shouldn’t even worry about the comments made by Jordan who, in actual fairness, did use the word “yet” when he said Curry wasn’t in the Hall of Fame.

It is more likely the retired basketball legend assumes this eventuality but as Magic Johnson explained in his contemporary’s defense, “Jordan couldn’t say it because he would get fined by the league.”