Four rings are enough to cement Curry’s pantheon status, but the hunger for more burns deeply in Dub Nation.
When it comes to basketball immortality, the most recognizable currency of greatness has often been championship rings. By this metric, Stephen Curry is already in elite company. And yet you can’t help but understand why Dub Nation is absolutely obsessed with the idea that he him adding a fifth ring to cover the full hand.
After tonight’s loss to the Phoenix Suns, I had to come to the grips with the unshakable truth that currently Curry’s team doesn’t have the firepower of years past. They have plenty of time to figure it out, but where are the Dubs going to find that secondary scoring and consistent defense to return to the league’s elite?
Even still, If Curry were to end his career with four championships, he’d still hold an unshakable place in the pantheon of basketball gods.
Think about it. The NBA’s history is littered with players universally regarded as legends who sit comfortably at the four-ring table. Shaquille O’Neal, the most dominant physical force the league has ever seen, finished his career with four titles. Nobody questions Shaq’s greatness. His unique combination of size, skill, and charisma shaped an entire era of basketball.
Tim Duncan, the “Big Fundamental,” is another four-ring icon. His understated excellence anchored the Spurs dynasty for nearly two decades, and while his personality may not have been flashy, his game was flawless. He didn’t need to win a fifth ring to cement his status as the greatest power forward of all time.
Even King LeBron James spent the better part of his career fighting for his fourth championship before finally achieving it in 2020. Despite endless debates about his GOAT candidacy, nobody seriously doubts his spot among the all-time greats.
Now let’s put Curry in context. It’s undeniable that his impact on the game transcends championships; the man revolutionized basketball. He stretched the floor to its breaking point and inspired a generation of players to prioritize shooting. He truly redefined what’s possible for a player his size. More than that, he did it all as the face of the most unselfish dynasty in modern NBA history.
Consider that every four-ring player has their unique calling card. Shaq dominated the paint. Duncan mastered fundamentals. LeBron combined versatility with longevity. Steph? He did something none of them did—he changed the game.
Four rings already place Curry in the company of legends. But his influence, cultural resonance, and statistical brilliance elevate him even further. Rings are great, but they’re not the only metric for greatness. Curry has nothing left to prove. Whether or not a fifth championship comes, his legacy is already bulletproof.
With that in mind, it helps me appreciate what we’ve witnessed: the greatest shooter of all time who became the player who transformed the sport forever. Four rings? That’s more than enough.
But still, there’s always room for my championship trophies on the shelf...
