Embrace Debate: Is Steph Curry's Golden Dagger The Most Memorable Shot In Basketball History?

Michael Reaves. Getty Images.

Alright by now you should know the drill. You cannot click on a blog about Steph's Golden Dagger without us taking a moment and once again enjoying the entire sequence. I don't care if you've seen it a thousand times, it's worth a thousand more watches

Man does that still get the juices flowing even a few days later. What a shot, what a player.

Anyways, the reason for this blog is because as a result of that sequence and that shot, there are some out there that are starting to lose their minds a little bit. For example, did you just witness the most memorable shot in basketball history with that Golden Dagger? According to Mike Greenberg, you did

And while we may share a last name (no relation), I'm going to have to disagree with Greeny (spelling it with an "ie" is better imo). The most memorable shot in the history of basketball? Let's pump the brakes there my guy. It might not even be the most memorable from Steph Curry himself. I mean it's possible to say that it was one of the more ridiculous shots any of us have ever seen, but phrasing it like that Golden Dagger saved Team USA from disaster is a bit much. They were up 6 with like 40 seconds to go! His earlier shots were much more influential in my opinion in terms of the eventual outcome, that final three was just the "Fuck You, goodnight" Chef's kiss (no pun intended but intended) as the final nail in the coffin. 

In fact, I would argue Steph's biggest 3PM from that entire sequence was the one at the 2:47 mark to put Team USA up 85-79. Wemby had just made a putback dunk to bring the score to within 3 points, and it was at that moment that Steph put Team USA on his back. That was the gold medal saving 3PM to me, whereas the Golden Dagger was more rubbing salt on the wound. That was your vintage "Steph Curry is going to crush your spirits and dreams and then dance on your grave" moment, but that's really it. Had he not made that basket, I find it highly unlikely Team USA was going to blow a two possession lead with under 40 seconds to go. Even if France went down and hit a 3PM and it was suddenly a 3 point game again, they most likely get the ball to Steph and he makes the pending FTs after fouling. 

Just off the top of my head, was that shot more memorable than say, Ray Allen's 3PM in Game 6?

or Kris Jenkin's game winner to win the national title?

shit, is it even more memorable than Steph's double bang against OKC?

This is of course subjective so there's technically no "real" answer, but it does feel like Greeny is being a little bit of a prisoner of the moment here. Unreal sequence, an unreal shot, there is absolutely no denying that.

But the most memorable shot in the history of basketball? Let's take a deep breath.