If you're wondering who is the best defender againstGolden State Warriors star Stephen Curry othis season, then look no further than Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet.
According to Kirk Goldsberry of ESPN, VanVleet allows a rate 10.8 points for Curry per 100 possessions — well ahead of the pack comprised of Eric Bledsoe, Chris Paul and Mike Conley.
VanVleet has matched up against Curry a total of 74 times this season.
Top 5 Stephen Curry Defenders This Season
Curry Points Per 100 By Defender
1. Fred VanVleet ………. 10.8
2. Eric Bledsoe ………… 16.7
3. Chris Paul ……………. 17.2
4. Mike Conley ………… 18.0
5. K. Caldwell-Pope …. 18.5(Min. 50 Matchups) pic.twitter.com/GhpUc9wB3o
— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) June 1, 2019
Other top Curry defenders are Los Angeles Lakers swingman Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Charlotte Hornets All-Star guard Kemba Walker and Los Angeles Clippers forward Garrett Temple.
The worst defenders on Curry are Houston Rockets center Clint Capela, Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Colin Sexton and, interestingly, his younger brother and Portland Trail Blazers guard Seth Curry.
VanVleet, an undrafted prospect, has certainly worked his way into the NBA. In the postseason, he's had his fair share of struggles early on — particularly on the offensive end. He got off the hump and has brought his newly-found confidence into the NBA Finals. Apart from his defense, the Raptors rely on him for his outside shooting.
The statistic not only proves that the 25-year-old belongs in the NBA, but it also shows that he has all the potential to be one of the top defenders in the league soon. After all, it's Curry we're talking about here — a player who's regarded as the best shooter in league history.
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