Shannon Sharpe, the outspoken sports commentator and former NFL star, is known for his fiery takes, but his latest comments on Stephen Curry have taken the basketball world by storm. In a recent segment, Sharpe issued a strong warning to the NBA: “The Baby-Faced Assassin is destroying the league, and it may be too late to stop him!”

The Baby-Faced Assassin: A Threat to the NBA’s Balance?

Stephen Curry has long been dubbed the “Baby-Faced Assassin” for his unassuming demeanor paired with his lethal 3-point shooting. However, Shannon Sharpe argues that Curry’s dominance is not just a personal triumph, but a systematic shift that’s reshaping the NBA itself—and not necessarily for the better.

“You look at what Steph Curry has done to the game, and it’s unbelievable,” Sharpe began. “He’s taken a sport that used to be about size, power, and athleticism, and turned it into a shooting contest. He’s single-handedly made the 3-pointer the most valuable shot in basketball, and no one can keep up.”

A League Changed Forever by Curry

Shannon Sharpe’s main point is that Curry has fundamentally changed the way the NBA is played, forcing teams to adopt a perimeter-focused strategy that places more emphasis on shooting and less on traditional big men and inside play. “Steph has revolutionized the game,” Sharpe continued. “Now, if you can’t shoot threes, you’re irrelevant. Seven-footers who can’t stretch the floor are liabilities.”

This shift, according to Sharpe, has not only altered how teams approach offense but also how rosters are constructed. “Every team in the league is looking for their own version of Curry. You see big guys stepping out to shoot threes, guards pulling up from 35 feet, all because one man changed the blueprint,” he said.

Is Curry’s Dominance “Destroying” the NBA?

While Sharpe acknowledges Curry’s greatness, he believes the unintended consequences of his style of play have disrupted the balance of the NBA. “Curry has made the game so perimeter-oriented that traditional skills, like post play and mid-range shots, are almost disappearing,” Sharpe warned. “Teams are launching 40, 50 threes a night, and if you can’t hit those, you’ve got no chance to win.”

The reliance on the 3-point shot, spurred by Curry’s success, has led to what some critics call “homogenization” in the league, where many teams are trying to mimic the Warriors’ model rather than finding their own identity. Sharpe explained, “The league used to have variety—some teams focused on defense, others on ball movement, some on inside dominance. Now, it’s like everyone is trying to play one style, and if you don’t have a Steph Curry, you’re going to lose.”

No Stopping Curry: A New Era of NBA Dominance

While some might argue that Curry’s impact is purely positive, Sharpe believes that his dominance has created an imbalance that could make the NBA less competitive in the long run. “Curry is destroying the league in the sense that he’s so far ahead of everyone else when it comes to shooting, there’s no way to defend him,” Sharpe said. “He’s pulling up from 30, 35 feet, and defenses are scrambling just to get a hand in his face. And when they do, he’s already moving without the ball, setting screens, and confusing defenders all over again.”

Sharpe went on to explain that while Curry’s shooting ability is unparalleled, his off-ball movement is just as deadly. “Steph doesn’t just stand around waiting for the ball. He’s moving constantly, running through screens, using his teammates to create separation. Defenses are exhausted by the time they catch up to him, and by then it’s too late—he’s already draining another three.”

Curry’s Impact on Young Players: A Blessing or a Curse?

Another concern Sharpe raised is the influence Curry has had on younger generations of players. “Every kid wants to shoot threes like Steph now,” Sharpe said. “They’re practicing 30-foot shots, skipping fundamentals, and trying to be the next Curry. But the truth is, there’s only one Steph Curry. You can’t just copy what he does.”

Sharpe warns that while Curry’s influence is inspiring, it could also lead to a lack of development in other areas of the game for younger players. “There’s a danger in everyone trying to imitate Steph because they’re missing out on learning the complete game. Not everyone can be a great shooter like him, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be great at other things.”

Stephen A. Smith’s Take: Curry’s Dominance Is “Inevitable”

Stephen A. Smith, Sharpe’s co-host, had a slightly different view on Curry’s impact. “Steph Curry isn’t destroying the NBA, he’s evolving it,” Smith countered. “Yes, he’s changed the game, but that’s what great players do. Magic Johnson changed the game. Michael Jordan changed the game. Now, it’s Steph Curry’s turn.”

Smith pointed out that Curry’s skills are so unique that the league will have to adapt. “You can’t stop Steph, but you can adjust. We’ve seen great players before, and the league finds a way to balance itself out. Curry’s shooting will force defenses to evolve, and that’s how the game gets better.”

Is There a Solution to the Curry Effect?

Shannon Sharpe ended his warning with a challenge to the NBA’s next generation of stars: “If someone wants to stop Steph Curry and the Warriors, they have to bring something different to the table. You can’t beat Curry at his own game. You need to get back to the basics—defense, physicality, and finding ways to attack the paint. That’s the only way to survive in the league Steph has built.”

Ultimately, while Sharpe respects Curry’s greatness, his warning stands: “Curry is destroying the league in the sense that no one else can do what he does. Until teams figure out how to counter that, we’re going to see a lot more 3-point annihilation and a lot fewer ways to stop it.”

As the “Baby-Faced Assassin” continues to rewrite the NBA’s history books, Shannon Sharpe’s words serve as both a tribute to Curry’s legacy and a caution for the future of the game.