Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson was correct about Steph Curry

Oscar Robertson was right.

Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan should have listened.

The Golden State Warriors won a game the night after the Big O controversially offered a simple method to hinder the league's best shooter; in doing so, Steph Curry proved Robertson right.

Sadly, the howls of fans and media types insecure in their own ignorance could never acknowledge Robertson's points; rather, they used his best evidence against him, thereby amplifying their own absurdness. They had no choice, because they already had staked their claim, deriding him as an angry old fool whose era of dominance should be dismissed.

Robertson said last week on ESPN Radio that coaches' failure to consistently extend their defenses offered Curry too many open shots.

Sure enough, Curry was left undefended by the Thunder on the game-winning shot. Indeed, his assigned defender was backpedaling when Curry pulled up.

It was Curry's 11th successful shot of at least 30 feet this season. No other player has more than two. If you think it's ridiculous to pick up a shooter at half court, go watch some Reggie Miller video.

Robertson's other main point was proven by the Thunder. As overtime wore on their offense degraded into the ultra-simplistic, easily-defended sort of attack that Robinson criticized.

Robertson's third Curry-related issue concerned Curry's place among the game's greatest shooters. Robertson mentioned Jerry West – an apt comparison, but perhaps unfair … to Curry. West, both shorter and slighter than Curry, outscored Curry's current career-best pace four times, all without the benefit of a 3-point line.

Notably, West last year said he'd never seen a shooter better than Curry.

Notably, West works for the Warriors.

As for Robertson, he defined the term "all-around player" before Magic and LeBron ever held a ball. He understands basketball on a level few mortals ever will. He should be listened too; and, if disagreed with, then he at least should be respected.

Steve Kerr's postgame comeback about "old-time players" diminished Kerr, not Robertson.

Any contention that Robertson or his contemporaries would have lagged behind athletes of today is the crystallization of ignorance. The greatest athletes of previous eras would adjust to the demands, parameters and physical developments of any future eras. As if Wilt or Jim Brown would have a problem today.

Robertson actually said nothing that specifically denigrated Curry, or the Warriors; in fact, he called the Warriors "great."

Robertson put the onus on the competition to adjust better, as, he contends, would have been done 40 years ago. Certainly, anyone who observes the indifferent defensive efforts seen nightly in the NBA cannot, in good conscience, argue that the league's defensive play is sound.

The problem, of course, is the overbearing presence of online outrage, most of it vastly uninformed, combined with the knee-jerk reaction that anyone who believes anyone else has a shortcoming – even saying only that someone is second-best, or third – is a "hater."

Ridiculous.

Chris Paul and Kryie Irving are better ball handlers than Curry. Paul is a better defender with better court vision and better passing skills. Russell Westbrook is more explosive; Derrick Rose, a better finisher.

Does Curry have to be the best at everything? Ever? Why?

Consider also that Robertson made his comments during a sycophantic radio interview. No pertinent follow-up questions flushed out the minutia – a disservice to Robertson, more than anything else. Don't think the Big O doesn't appreciate Steph's development:

How Curry has rebuilt his core and lower body with excellent results. His motion and release are quicker; his range, greater and his ability to move without the ball then fire on receipt is magnificent.

How Curry's ball handling skills have progressed to the point that few defenders can mark him one-on-one closely enough to alter his perimeter shots; and, always a selfless player, he has become a fine passer and finisher.

How Curry plays on a team loaded with other superb passers who can score, including another franchise shooter, Klay Thompson. Any effort to double-team Curry usually results in even better chances attempts for teammates.

This is a wonderfully constructed team. On Wednesday, with Curry sidelined by an ankle injury, they won a 43rd straight home game.

Curry might be the perfect player on the perfect team at the perfect time.

But that doesn't make him the perfect player.

Or unstoppable.