Stephen Curry’s Quiet Battle with the Whistle: A Superstar Still Waiting on the Call
Stephen Curry’s greatness is unquestioned. He’s a two-time MVP, a four-time NBA champion, and the undisputed face of the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty. But if there’s one thing that continues to fly under the radar - or maybe just under the officials’ whistles - it’s how rarely Curry gets to the free throw line for a player of his stature.
We saw another example of that Monday night against the Orlando Magic. In the second half, Curry drove hard to the rim, navigating through traffic with his usual blend of balance and body control.
As he elevated toward the basket, he met heavy contact - Desmond Bane was right there, contesting the shot, and the two collided midair. Curry went down hard.
Bane, for a moment, was practically on top of him. No whistle.
No foul.
Curry lay on the floor, clearly stunned. Bane even tapped him on the chest as he got up, almost in recognition of the collision.
But the officials let it play on. Just another night where Curry’s contact at the rim didn’t warrant a trip to the line.
And yet, Curry didn’t let the missed call derail the night. He led the Warriors to a convincing 120-97 win, pushing Golden State back to .500 at 15-15.
Curry finished with 26 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 31 minutes - a stat line that’s become routine for him. He got strong support from Moses Moody, who poured in 20 points, and Jimmy Butler, who added 21 of his own.
But that no-call is worth revisiting because it fits into a broader trend that’s followed Curry throughout his career: for all his accolades, he simply doesn’t get to the free throw line like most other superstars.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Let’s talk numbers. Curry averages just 4.3 free throw attempts per game this season - a surprisingly low figure for someone who’s constantly in motion, drawing defenders, and getting bumped off the ball.
Last season, he ranked 49th in the league in fouls drawn per game (3.5). That’s well behind players like Luka Dončić (5.9), who was fifth, and even behind Lakers guard Austin Reaves (4.5), who doesn’t carry nearly the same offensive load.
It’s easy to assume Curry doesn’t draw fouls because he shoots so much from deep. And yes, his three-point game is the stuff of legend - defenders often don’t have a chance to get close enough to foul.
But that doesn’t tell the whole story. Curry is constantly moving without the ball, curling around screens, cutting backdoor, and driving into the paint.
He’s not just a perimeter shooter - he’s a full-court offensive engine. And yet, the whistles rarely come.
Players Say He Gets Favorable Calls - But Do the Stats Agree?
Earlier this year, an anonymous player poll offered a different perspective. When asked about the league’s new officiating style - one that’s leaned more into physicality - several players suggested that superstars like Curry, LeBron James, and Luka Dončić benefit from favorable calls.
One player said, *“I think the physicality only applies to certain players. If you’re not known, OK, you can get hit.
But if you’re [going against] Steph or LeBron, you can’t get that physical.” *
Another added, *“Certain players get certain calls. That’s understandable.
Kind of the way it works.” *
But here’s the thing: the numbers don’t back that up - at least not in Curry’s case. For all the talk about him being a referee favorite, his free throw numbers suggest otherwise. He’s not getting those superstar whistles, especially when compared to his peers.
That discrepancy is hard to ignore. Curry’s role in the Warriors’ offense demands constant movement and high usage.
He’s not just spotting up and waiting for catch-and-shoot looks - he’s initiating, slashing, and creating. And yet, he’s drawing fewer fouls than players with far less offensive gravity.
So What’s Really Going On?
There’s no clear answer. Maybe it’s because Curry makes the game look too easy.
His balance, footwork, and finesse often make contact look less dramatic than it is. Maybe officials are conditioned to focus more on physicality under the rim, where bruising bigs and downhill drivers like Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo live.
Or maybe it’s just one of those quirks in how the game is officiated.
Whatever the reason, it’s become clear that Curry isn’t getting the benefit of the doubt when it comes to foul calls - at least not to the extent that many assume. And yet, he continues to perform at an elite level, night after night, with or without the whistle.
That’s part of what makes Curry special. He doesn’t rely on free throws to pad his numbers.
He doesn’t hunt for contact. He plays the game with a purity that’s rare in today’s NBA - and he still finds ways to dominate.
But every now and then, you can’t help but wonder: what would his numbers look like if he did get those calls?