Steph Curry’s Disrespect Is Worse Than You Think

On the night of March 20th, 2025, I was at home, watching Steph Curry do what he does best — drive fearlessly to the basket. But then came the moment: a hard collision, no whistle, and Curry lying on the floor in visible pain. No foul. Just silence.

Two weeks later, on April 6th, the Houston Rockets battered Curry for 32 straight minutes, and once again, not a single free throw attempt. It didn’t make sense. This wasn’t just bad officiating — it felt like something more.

So I did what any curious (and outraged) basketball fan would do: I dove down the rabbit hole.

The Most Ethical Superstar in the Game

Steph Curry is not just the greatest shooter of all time — he’s a global icon, the face of a dynasty, and arguably the most “ethical” scorer the game has ever seen. No flopping. No dirty plays. Just pure skill.

So why does it seem like the referees don’t respect his greatness?

When James Harden creates contact, it’s three shots and a whistle. When Steph Curry does the same move — contact and all — it’s often called an offensive foul. The double standard is glaring.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Over the last 10 seasons, top-tier guards like Bradley Beal, Trae Young, and Damian Lillard have all made multiple appearances in the top 10 for free throws made. Steph Curry? Zero.

Think about that. A player who leads the league in movement, touches, shot attempts, and attention from defenders has never cracked the top 10 in free throw attempts. Not once.

The numbers only get more shocking: in games from 2021 onward where Steph did shoot 10+ free throws, he averaged 12.04 free throw attempts per game — more than peak James Harden or MVP Joel Embiid. In those games, Curry would average 39 points per game.

Let that sink in. Thirty-nine.

A Hidden Agenda?

Here’s where things take a turn.

Curry is signed with Under Armour — a brand that’s backed him since the early days of his rise. Meanwhile, Nike is not only the NBA’s official apparel partner but also the biggest corporate force in basketball, having just extended their league deal through 2037 in a multi-billion dollar contract.

Nike athletes like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Ja Morant often receive the benefit of the whistle. But when Curry, the face of a rival brand, starts threatening that hierarchy with historic performances, something strange happens.

The whistle disappears.

Protecting the Brand

Some fans and analysts believe this isn’t just about missed calls — it’s about protecting Nike’s billion-dollar investments. Giving Curry a fair whistle wouldn’t just boost his legacy — it could challenge the legacy of Nike’s greatest stars, particularly LeBron James.

Consider this: both LeBron and Curry now have the same number of rings. If Steph were given 10–12 free throw attempts a night — the Harden/Embiid treatment — he wouldn’t just dominate. He’d potentially outshine everyone.

And what does that mean for Nike’s brand narrative? For LeBron’s place in history? For the billion-dollar bet on his legacy?

It’s not just about basketball anymore. It’s about business.

The Unstoppable Player They Want to Contain

Let’s be clear: this isn’t about conspiracy theories. This is about patterns. About who benefits. About who doesn’t.

Joel Embiid and Damian Lillard — both non-Nike athletes — also rack up free throws. But they don’t threaten the same power structure. They aren’t challenging LeBron’s legacy. Curry is.

So if you keep his numbers great but not legendary — if you make him work just a little harder, give him a little less — you can slow the myth without stopping the man.

But here’s the thing:

It’s not working.

The Most Nerfed Superstar in NBA History

Even with a muted whistle, Curry continues to put up historic numbers, win games, and influence the next generation. He’s doing this while handicapped by the system, and still thriving.

Because that’s who Steph is. He’s always been doubted — too small, too skinny, too unorthodox. And yet, he changed the game forever.

Final Thoughts

If Steph Curry ever gets a fair whistle — if the league starts treating him like other superstars — we may be witnessing the most unstoppable player the NBA has ever seen. Not just the best shooter. Not just the face of the Warriors.

The face of the league.

Until then, we’ll keep watching. Keep calling it out. Because greatness shouldn’t be ignored — it should be celebrated.

Even when it wears Under Armour.