49ers news: Where Steph Curry ranks among all-time Bay Area athletes

Plenty of 49ers legends can appreciate what Stephen Curry and the Warriors have done, winning four NBA titles, but where does Curry rank among Bay Area athletes?

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry just cemented not only a Hall of Fame résumé by earning MVP honors for the NBA Finals victory over the Boston Celtics in six games.

Curry easily put himself in the conversation of the best NBA players in the history of the game.

OK, so he still might not be challenging the GOAT, Michael Jordan, and even the lone star who arguably challenges Jordan for that title, LeBron James. But Curry is up there, probably in the top 10 and receiving credit for his fourth NBA title and, to a greater extent, changing the game forever with his pinpoint shooting.

We’re not here to talk all things basketball, though. We’re a San Francisco 49ers site. That’s a football team.

Yet, just like the Warriors, the Niners are a Bay Area team. And for the students of Bay Area sports over the years, thinking about where Curry would rank among the all-time Bay Area athletes is a pretty fun exercise.

Right, Niners Wire’s Kyle Madson?

You might have left a few names out, though, Kyle. We’ll help.

Considering Curry and his latest achievements, let’s rank out the five greatest athletes in Bay Area history, including a couple of needed mentions of the red and gold.

And, yes, you’re free to debate, argue and disagree. That’s fully encouraged.

Bay Area athletes who just miss the all-time cut

Rickey Henderson, Oakland Athletics (MLB)

Stealing bases has become something of an anachronism in baseball today, meaning Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson’s MLB-high 1,406 stolen bases will never be touched. Tack on 297 home runs over a 25-year career, and Henderson surely stands tall.

Ronnie Lott, San Francisco 49ers (NFL)

Arguably the hardest-hitting safety in the history of the NFL, Ronnie Lott‘s Hall of Fame career includes four Super Bowl rings, six All-Pro selections and a whopping 10 Pro Bowl nods.

Willie McCovey, San Francisco Giants (MLB)

Anytime a player is included in the top 20 of home runs hit in a major league career, it warrants consideration, and such is the case for the late Hall of Fame great, Willie McCovey, whose 521 career homers puts the San Francisco Giants legend on the list of honorable mentions.

Interestingly enough, McCovey spent a small portion of the 1976 season with the A’s.

Too bad the six-time All-Star never won a World Series.