MICHAEL JORDAN RANKED THIRD PUREST SCORER AS STEPHEN CURRY TAKES TOP SPOT
Metta World Peace slams a new list ranking Stephen Curry as a "purer" scorer than Michael Jordan and his ten titles.
The debate around who stands as the greatest scorer in basketball never really fades. Whenever rankings or metrics include Michael Jordan, the basketball world spins back into that familiar conversation. Recently, Bleacher Report stirred the pot again by placing Stephen Curry at the top of their list of the 15 purest scorers ever, with Jordan coming in third.
The response was immediate and intense. Metta Sandiford-Artest, known to many as Ron Artest or Metta World Peace and a former Lakers champ, didn’t hold back.
Taking to social media, Artest made his stance crystal clear. He dismissed the idea outright, highlighting Jordan’s rookie year average of 28 points, six championships, six Finals MVPs, and nine scoring titles, repeating the last figure for emphasis: nine scoring titles no one else has reached. For Artest, those feats put Jordan on a level that shouldn’t even be debated in these terms.
You can hear the passion in his words. Artest built a reputation as one of the league’s fiercest defenders and claimed a title with the Lakers in 2010. His perspective carries weight, reflecting a deep respect for Jordan’s place in history.
So, what did the list actually say? Bleacher Report based its rankings on three advanced stats: points per 75 possessions, relative true shooting percentage, and free-throw attempt rate. They aimed to reward scorers who performed efficiently without over-relying on free throws. This approach separated the rankings from more conventional views.
Jordan actually had a higher points per 75 possessions rate (30.3 versus Curry’s 26.7), but his greater free-throw attempt rate (35.8 compared to Curry’s 24.2) dragged his rank down. Plus, Jordan placed 29th in relative true shooting percentage among the players considered.
Bleacher Report didn’t ignore Jordan’s dominance; they noted his eight seasons averaging over 30 points and his ten scoring titles. However, they argued that Jordan’s scoring combined volume with a certain forcefulness rather than ‘pure’ scoring. In contrast, they praised Curry for mixing high volume with efficiency, relying on contested long-range shots, movement-based scoring, and underrated finishes at the rim, which they deemed a more ‘pure’ form of scoring.
It’s a solid argument. Curry revolutionised what scoring at the highest level looks like, hitting shots from distances that previous generations didn’t even consider practical options. This makes direct comparisons tricky.
But Artest’s points stand strong, too. Jordan put up his numbers against rugged, physical defences in an era where hand-checking was permitted, and officials allowed a level of contact unseen today. His scoring came amid the most persistent defensive pressure.
On the flip side, Curry is arguably the greatest shooter ever. The difficulty and uniqueness of his shot-making defy full capture by stats alone. He forced defences to rethink their positioning, influenced team-building strategies, and maintained highly efficient scoring over nearly twenty years.
As for Curry, he never asked for this ranking or the controversy it sparked. The list isn’t going to settle the debate, and Artest’s fiery reaction shows it won’t be without pushback.
What this conversation does highlight is the serious regard for Curry’s role in scoring history. He’s a player who has fundamentally altered the game, pushing the evolution of how scoring itself is measured.
Jordan remains Jordan, an icon beyond debate. Yet, what Curry has done to basketball is unprecedented. The argument will continue, but just having it underscores the remarkable place Curry holds in the sport’s story.
LAKERS ON THE BRINK: LEBRON JAMES ADMITS DISAPPOINTMENT AFTER 3-0 SERIES DEFICIT
"We still have life." LeBron James remains defiant despite a brutal 131-108 loss to OKC at the Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves just one loss away from elimination after a tough 131-108 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night. Although the Lakers held a halftime lead for the second consecutive game, they again fell apart in the second half, allowing Oklahoma City to cruise to a 3-0 series lead.
LeBron James spoke after the game, highlighting the Thunder’s depth and relentless energy while emphasising that the Lakers still believe they have a chance to push the series further. The Thunder outscored Los Angeles 74-49 after halftime and once more dominated the third quarter, continuing a pattern that has largely defined this series.
“They’re solid from top to bottom,” James said after the game. “And they never take their foot off the gas.”
Oklahoma City converted at a 56 per cent clip and spread the scoring load, even though reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was only 7-of-20 from the field with 23 points. The Thunder’s supporting players reinforced the effort alongside Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Alex Caruso.
LeBron pointed directly to the third quarter as the turning point for Game 3.
“Obviously, the third quarter is where it starts,” he noted. “We lacked the energy and effort, and they dropped over 30 points on us.”
Despite strong first-half performances from Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard, giving Los Angeles a one-point lead at halftime, Oklahoma City seized control right after the break, forcing turnovers and capitalising on easy transition baskets.
“In that third quarter, we couldn’t hit shots,” James admitted. “We defended but didn’t get stops, which let them take control.”
The Lakers were outscored 33-20 in that quarter alone. James managed just one field goal, while Austin Reaves went scoreless in the period.
James finished the night with 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, but his shooting was off at 7-for-19, and he posted a minus-24 plus-minus rating.
Los Angeles also turned the ball over 17 times, which led to 30 points for the Thunder. Oklahoma City outscored the Lakers 64-44 in the paint as well.
When pressed about the frustration of falling behind 3-0, James kept his response measured.
“I can’t say I’m not disappointed or angry,” he said. “You’re obviously disappointed being down 3-0, but we still have life. That’s all you can ask for. We have to be much better on Monday.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick backed up James’ take, describing Oklahoma City as an elite team in the NBA.
“They’ve beaten us three straight games,” Redick said. “They’re a really impressive basketball team.”
Redick previously drew comparisons between the Thunder and dominant teams like the 1990s Chicago Bulls and the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors. James acknowledged Oklahoma City’s versatility and depth, which have caused significant matchup problems.
“They have the right personnel to adapt to whatever you throw out there,” James said. “And they stay productive no matter who’s on the floor.”
Even with Gilgeous-Alexander’s uneven scoring, the Thunder have continued to win comfortably. Holmgren’s inside presence has been dominant, and Mitchell once again put up a strong stat line with 24 points and 10 assists.
James wasn’t surprised by the Thunder’s sustained pressure, given their roster makeup.
“You’ve seen them develop over the years,” he said. “They have a lot of players who can do multiple things, and that depth really helps.”
The Lakers are still without Luka Doncic, sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain from April, which has hampered their offensive rhythm, especially late in games.
Facing elimination now, James insisted the team’s focus remains squarely on Game 4 rather than any bigger questions about the group’s future.
"No", James said when asked if they considered this might be their last run together. “We’re just concentrating on the moment and moving forward from there.”
Game 4 is set for Monday night in Los Angeles, where the Lakers will fight to avoid a sweep and keep the series alive before heading back to Oklahoma City.
MAX HOLLOWAY BREAKS SILENCE ON PARAMOUNT REGARDING CONOR MCGREGOR UFC 329 RUMORS
Relive the 13-year history between Holloway and McGregor as the Hawaiian star targets International Fight Week for ultimate revenge.
Max Holloway is hungry for payback against Conor McGregor as rumours swirl about a rematch.
McGregor hasn’t stepped inside the octagon since that quick loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. His last win was way back in 2020 when he steamrolled Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in under a minute. He was supposed to fight Michael Chandler in 2024, but that fell through after he got injured.
Now, at 37, McGregor’s back in training and eyeing a return for UFC 329 on July 11, right as International Fight Week rolls around. Before that, he missed out on a shot at the White House card, so this July date is shaping up to be his next window.
Dana White has flip-flopped a bit on McGregor’s comeback, but now he sounds confident: “It’s looking good. Believe me, you know once we get a deal done with him, we will announce it.” And right now, Holloway looks like the top pick for the fight, 13 years after they first went at it.
Back then, McGregor beat Holloway by decision. Since then, Holloway’s had his own ups and downs; he lost the BMF belt to Charles Oliveira in March and hasn’t fought since. Still, he’s eager to get back, especially if it means a shot at Conor.
Talking to Paramount, Holloway laid it out: “We have history. We fought a long time ago. If someone’s got a win over me, I want that back. If he really is serious about returning, and it looks like he is, then this is an exciting fight. He looks hungry. He even did a boxing exhibition not too long ago, so it looks like he’s really coming back. I just want another shot. Any fight with Conor is huge, but with our past? It means even more. If I can knock a few names off my list, that’s great.”
For now, Holloway hasn’t heard anything official from the UFC about July. "Maybe we'll see what happens,” he said. “I’m seeing all the same talk you are. I haven’t heard anything yet, but July would work for me. They say you’re only as good as your last fight, and I want people to forget about that one as soon as possible.”
