The NBA has seen many intelligent players, but Chris Paul and LeBron James might be a cut above the rest. Stephen Curry shares the same sentiment, especially as someone who has regularly played against them.
Over the years, the NBA has seen star players shine with unique skill sets. Despite that, the most underrated part of a player’s game may be their intelligence and basketball IQ. For two-time MVP Stephen Curry, he knows Chris Paul and LeBron James stand out due to their basketball IQ.
Of course, Paul and James are talented players, but they have elite longevity due to their IQ. That is significant to how they play their game, as they don’t have to rely on athleticism all the time. James is still an athletic freak, but approaching the game smartly is still crucial to their success.
It can be challenging to stand out in the NBA for a long time. In addition to natural talent and skill set, players must be smart. Every player with elite longevity has high basketball IQ. Curry has that as the Golden State Warriors’ superstar guard. However, he also sees that amongst his peers, mainly James and Paul.
Over the past two decades, James and Paul have been two of the best players in the NBA. They have produced unreal statistics, but they have also done it by maximizing everyone. The two elite playmakers get the most out of their teams, as proven by their reputations.
Of course, Paul is not as successful as James since he does not have a championship. However, most players feel similarly to Steph, as they respect Paul for his tremendous basketball IQ. It is a unique strength that has made them elite players for a long time.
“Between CP and Bron, those two. It’s the way they play, obviously, but the way they talk— the way they can orchestrate an offense and control it. Bron is the type to control the offense, and CP knows what he’s getting out of it,” Curry said to Complex Sports.
James and Paul will likely be superstars whom young players will model their games after. That is important, as they show that athleticism is not everything. Of course, James is an unreal athlete, but he stands out because of his basketball IQ. The same goes for Paul, who is a small guard, but he is still impactful.
With both players being older, their retirement will come soon. It will be a sad day for the NBA, as it will lose two legendary players. However, their legacies will remain as two of the smartest NBA players ever.
Paul is slowly losing his spot after accepting a lesser role with the Los Angeles Clippers. James is still a star for the Los Angeles Lakers, a team increasingly focusing more on Luka Doncic. While they have not retired yet, there will come a time when they hang up their sneakers. In the meantime, they will continue to be the premier examples of elite basketball IQ.
