He did it again. That’s the feeling everyone had when Stephen Curry pulled up from the mid-court logo against the Thunder in 2016, or when he launched a high-arcing moonshot over a sprinting Anthony Davis. People call it curry shooting from the moon because, frankly, there isn't a better way to describe a shot that defies the physics of a standard NBA offense. It looks impossible.
It isn't.
📖 Related: When is Jalen Hurts Birthday: Why August 7 Means So Much to Philly
But it sure feels that way when you're watching a 6'2" guard casually flip the ball toward the rafters from 35 feet out. This isn't just about "deep threes." We're talking about a fundamental shift in how basketball is played, coached, and scouted. When we talk about Curry shooting from the moon, we are discussing the "gravity" he creates—a term coaches like Steve Kerr and Erik Spoelstra use to describe how defenses have to stretch until they literally snap just to account for his range.
The mechanical reality of the moonshot
How does he actually do it? Most players lose their form when they move past the 25-foot mark. They start "heaving." Their elbows flare out, their jump timing gets hitched, and the shot becomes a prayer rather than a play.
Curry is different.
His power doesn't come from his chest or arms; it’s a kinetic chain starting at his toes. Most shooters use a two-motion shot—jump, then release at the apex. Steph uses a one-motion release. The ball starts moving upward before his feet even leave the hardwood. This allows him to transfer the energy from the floor directly into the ball with almost zero loss of momentum. It’s why he can look so effortless while curry shooting from the moon from distances that would give most pros a literal shoulder injury.
💡 You might also like: Twins opening day 2025 schedule: What to Expect When the Gates Open at Target Field
According to tracking data from Second Spectrum, the average NBA three-point shot is taken from about 24.5 feet. Curry routinely hunts shots from 30 to 35 feet. At that distance, the margin for error is microscopic. If his release angle is off by even a single degree, the ball misses the rim by nearly a foot. Yet, his arc remains consistently between 45 and 55 degrees. That high trajectory—the "moonshot"—actually makes the hoop a "bigger" target because the ball enters the cylinder at a more vertical angle.
Why the defense can't just "step up"
You’d think the solution is simple: just guard him at half-court.
If only.
The problem is that if you press Curry at 35 feet, you leave 40 feet of open hardwood behind you. Draymond Green, perhaps the smartest roll-man in the history of the league, feasts on this. When Curry’s defender overcommits to stop the curry shooting from the moon threat, Steph just dumps it to Draymond in a 4-on-3 situation. It’s a mathematical nightmare for defensive coordinators. You either give up a 35% to 40% chance at a deep three, or you give up a 70% chance at a layup or a wide-open corner three for Klay Thompson or Andrew Wiggins.
Honestly, it’s a lose-lose scenario.
The psychological warfare of the logo shot
There is a specific kind of "soul-crushing" energy that happens when Curry hits one of these. You can see it in the body language of the opposing bench. One second, you’ve played 22 seconds of perfect, gritty defense. You’ve rotated, you’ve tagged the rollers, and you’ve forced a "bad" shot. Then the ball goes through the net from the logo.
It breaks teams.
It’s not just three points. It’s a statement that your defensive scheme is irrelevant. This "Moonshot" effect has forced the NBA to change. Look at the way players like Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, and Caitlin Clark play today. They aren't just imitating him; they are survivors of the era he created. They realized that to compete in the modern game, "unlimited range" isn't a luxury—it’s a requirement.
The training behind the madness
Steph doesn't just show up and chuck. His workout regimen, often cited by trainers like Brandon Payne, involves "overload" drills. He wears strobe goggles that interfere with his vision, forcing his brain to process visual cues faster. He shoots until he’s exhausted, then he shoots some more.
One particular drill involves making 10 shots from five different spots around the arc, but here's the kicker: they have to be "swishes." If the ball hits the rim and goes in, it doesn't count. This level of precision is what allows for the phenomenon of curry shooting from the moon. When the rim feels like a hula hoop, 30 feet starts feeling like a layup.
- Muscle Memory: He’s taken hundreds of thousands of shots since he was a kid in Davidson.
- Neuro-efficiency: His ability to find the rim without looking is statistically higher than almost any player in history.
- Ankle Stability: People forget he had "glass ankles" early in his career. His core strength and specialized footwear allow him to decelerate and launch in a fraction of a second.
The impact on the "Next Gen" and the "Clark Effect"
We’re seeing the "Curry from the moon" style translate heavily into the WNBA and college ball. Caitlin Clark’s rise to superstardom was built on the exact same blueprint. She isn't just a great shooter; she’s a floor spacer who forces the defense to guard the logo.
This has led to a massive debate among old-school analysts. Some, like Charles Barkley, have lamented that the game has become too "jump-shot heavy." They miss the post play and the physicality of the 90s. But the math doesn't lie. A 35% shooter from 30 feet is providing the same value as a 52.5% shooter from two-point range. And since Curry often shoots closer to 40% from deep, the efficiency is undeniable.
The game has moved outside. It's not coming back.
Analyzing the 2024 Olympic "Golden" Dagger
If you want a masterclass in this, look at the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal game against France. Specifically, that final shot over two defenders. He was fading away, nearly at the sideline, and launched a moonshot that seemed to stay in the air for an eternity.
That wasn't a "good" shot by any traditional coaching metric. It was a terrible shot. But for Curry, it was a high-percentage look. That’s the paradox. When we talk about curry shooting from the moon, we are talking about a player who has successfully moved the "red line" of what is considered a bad shot.
Actionable Takeaways for Players and Fans
If you're a player looking to extend your range, or just a fan trying to understand the brilliance of the deep ball, keep these points in mind:
- Don't start at the logo. Range is built from the inside out. Curry didn't start shooting deep until his mechanics were flawless at the free-throw line. If your form breaks down at 20 feet, stay there until it's fixed.
- Focus on the "Dip." Notice how Curry brings the ball down to his waist before moving upward. This "dip" creates the rhythm and power needed for long-distance shots.
- Watch the Feet. It’s almost always a "1-2" step or a small hop. This stabilizes the base. You can't shoot from the moon if your foundation is shaky.
- Embrace the Gravity. If you’re a coach, understand that a player who can hit from 30 feet is valuable even when they aren't shooting. Their presence alone creates lanes for everyone else.
The era of the "Moonshot" is here to stay. Whether it's Steph, Dame, or the next kid at the local park, the basket is no longer just 10 feet high and 23 feet away. It's everywhere.
To truly master or even defend this style, one must study the geometry of the court. Start by tracking your "comfortable" range and slowly pushing the boundary by one foot every two weeks. Focus on the transfer of energy from your legs. Most importantly, accept that the game has changed; the floor is now 94 feet of scoring territory, and the "moon" is just another spot on the hardwood.