Steph Curry’s trick shot catalogue is the greatest of all time

Golden State’s Golden Gun keeps shooting away.

Stephen Curry’s trick shots are the stuff of legend, and they might just be the purest embodiment of his joy for basketball. Whether it’s a one-handed heave from the tunnel, a no-look shot from half-court, or a casual floater off the backboard while warming up, Steph’s trick shots are more than just highlights—they’re an extension of his identity as a player.

That’s why when he hit the Phoenix Suns with one of the greatest Harlem Globetrotter-esque trick shots in NBA history, I had to actually step back and wonder if that was his most ridiculous basket making feat ever?

Let’s be clear: no one else in the NBA is doing this. Sure, you’ve got other guys hitting circus shots here and there, but Steph does it with a kind of consistency that makes the improbable feel inevitable. You watch him casually drain shots from the logo in warm-ups, and you can’t help but wonder—how much of this is just for fun, and how much of it is Steph preparing for the absurd situations he somehow creates in live games?

The thing about Curry’s trick shots is that they blend the ridiculous with the practical. Take his full-court underhand tosses. Those aren’t just for show; they’re a reflection of the insane touch he has on the basketball. It’s that same soft touch that lets him bank in floaters over seven-footers or drill three-pointers with millimeters of space between him and a defender. Or think about the behind-the-backboard shots he sinks during pregame routines—these are about more than just entertainment. They’re training his ability to adjust his arc and spin based on impossible angles, a skill that has led to some of the wildest buckets we’ve ever seen during live action.

I remember the one hit on the Memphis Grizzlies in a tightly contested playoff game in hostile territory. That game the refs seemed to be letting the Dubs get abused while Memphis desperately flailed to stay in the contest. It led to Curry hitting the most “EFF YOU YOU’RE GETTING ELIMINATED BUDDY” heave at the buzzer to end the third quarter that my father exclaimed, “THAT’S JUDGMENT!” as soon as it splashed.

What makes it all so fascinating is the way Steph seamlessly incorporates this playfulness into his dominance. For most players, trick shots are just that—tricks. For Curry, they’re an essential part of his basketball arsenal. They keep defenders guessing and, more importantly, they make the game look fun. Steph is the rare superstar who makes fans feel like they’re watching a kid at recess, except this kid is redefining what’s possible in professional basketball.

Steph’s trick shots remind us that basketball doesn’t have to be all grind and grit. Sometimes, it’s just about having fun, trying something crazy, and making magic happen. And no one makes magic quite like him.