Behind the Smile: Why Some NBA Players Secretly Resent Stephen Curry’s Rise to Greatness
In a league filled with alpha personalities, generational talent, and locker room politics, the idea that someone as widely admired as Stephen Curry could be the subject of deep resentment might sound far-fetched — until a former NBA veteran pulls the curtain back on what many never dared to say out loud.
Appearing on a recent episode of All the Smoke, ex-player Matt Barnes, known for his candid takes and raw honesty, made waves across the basketball world when he casually yet provocatively stated: “Stephen Curry has done a lot of things that probably angered other players – some even hate him.”
The quote, which surfaced in the morning of July 28, 2025, spread like wildfire on social media platforms, igniting heated debates among fans, media, and insiders alike — all trying to make sense of how the NBA’s poster child for humility, joy, and family values could be on the receiving end of such harsh sentiment.
For years, Stephen Curry has been seen not only as the face of the Golden State Warriors but also as the unofficial ambassador of modern basketball, revolutionizing the game with his jaw-dropping range, lightning-quick release, and ability to shift the geometry of a defense with nothing more than his off-ball movement.
From his boy-next-door smile to his faith-driven interviews, Curry has long been cast as the rare megastar who plays without arrogance, celebrates with innocent joy, and empowers teammates instead of overshadowing them — a model citizen in a league where ego and flair often grab the spotlight.
Yet behind that infectious grin and wholesome image lies a reality that Barnes was bold enough to say aloud — that dominance, even when wrapped in charm, can still breed jealousy, irritation, and even hatred among peers who feel overshadowed, disrespected, or simply outshined.
According to Barnes, Curry’s manner of celebrating, his high-energy shimmying after deep threes, his subtle taunts masked as confidence, and the very fact that he demolished traditional defensive logic — all have rubbed certain players the wrong way over the years, regardless of whether he intended to provoke.
And when you consider the broader context of Curry’s rise — a relatively undersized guard out of Davidson who wasn’t even recruited by elite programs, transforming into a two-time MVP, four-time champion, and arguably the greatest shooter in basketball history — the envy becomes somewhat understandable, though still jarring to admit.
The NBA, after all, is a league where respect is earned not only by accolades but also by blood, sweat, and hierarchy, and for Curry to ascend so rapidly, rewriting rules and redefining what greatness looks like, was bound to challenge the ego-driven order of things.
Some players, especially older-school stars or those who prided themselves on defensive toughness, may have viewed Curry’s style — the deep threes, the circus shots, the fast-break pull-ups — as a betrayal of fundamental basketball, a trickster’s game that mocked the physical grind they had built their careers upon.
Add to that the Warriors’ dynastic run, which saw them win three championships in four years (2015–2018) and return for a triumphant fourth title in 2022, and the resentment only deepened, particularly among stars who never had the chance to compete on such a dominant, cohesive, and well-funded roster.
Then there’s the fact that Curry, despite his statistical dominance and cultural impact, often avoided the criticism and media scrutiny that plagued other superstars — LeBron James, Kevin Durant, James Harden — a phenomenon that has led some insiders to call him “media-proof” or even “criticism-immune.”
It’s easy to understand how such immunity, perceived or real, might irk those who feel that Curry gets to win, smile, dance, and stay beloved — while others get torn down for every missed shot, facial expression, or Twitter like.
Yet perhaps the most fascinating layer to this controversy is how little Curry himself seems to acknowledge it, let alone fuel it — consistently refusing to engage in off-court feuds, rarely responding to critics, and maintaining a professional distance from the kind of drama that seems to follow other high-profile stars.
In many ways, this refusal to play the villain — this insistence on staying grounded, grateful, and calm — only deepens the irritation among his silent detractors, as if his refusal to respond denies them the satisfaction of open conflict or emotional reaction.
Ironically, this controversy comes at a time when Curry’s image is arguably stronger than ever — a devoted father of three, a philanthropist investing in underprivileged youth, a savvy entrepreneur expanding into tech and education, and a player who continues to perform at an elite level deep into his 30s.
To millions of fans around the world, Curry represents more than just basketball — he’s a symbol of how faith, discipline, and fearlessness can break barriers, defy expectations, and create joy in a world that often demands conformity.
Still, the fact that a respected former player like Barnes — who played with and against some of the fiercest competitors in NBA history — would say what many only whispered, forces the league and its fanbase to confront an uncomfortable truth: not every hero is universally loved, even when they seem to do everything right.
The backlash to Barnes’ statement has already begun to take shape, with Warriors fans defending Curry vehemently online, media outlets dissecting every possible past interaction between Curry and other stars, and several players being asked outright whether they were among those harboring bitterness.
For now, Curry himself has remained silent, perhaps letting his game do the talking as he always has — but the seed has been planted, and the conversation around love, envy, legacy, and perception in the NBA will never quite be the same again.
Because in a league where greatness is worshipped but rarely forgiven, even the most beloved faces may wear invisible targets — and Stephen Curry, the smiling assassin of the hardwood, just found out his might be larger than anyone imagined.