Some of Kerr’s writing, however, seems prescient and could apply to Curry and Thompson. For example: “Surfers will tell you that it’s easier to ride a wave than to catch one,” Kerr wrote. “In the N.B.A. it is simpler to make a shot than it is to get one. Defenders are bigger and stronger than ever, and scouting reports are very thorough. A stingy defense can make it very difficult for a good shooter to get a good look at the basket. Therefore, the best shooters not only need to make shots, but to know how to get open, with or without the ball.”

He continued: “Roboshooter will have Allen Iverson’s speed, quickness and ball-handling ability in order to create a shot against a tough defender. It’s amazing how often Iverson will have the ball with the shot clock winding down and a great defender on him and just make a dazzling one-on-one move to clear space for himself to shoot.”

Sound like anyone we know?

If Kerr were to write the piece today, he said, he might make a few updates. Ball-handling is more important now, particularly for Curry. For Thompson, repetition — meaning shooting the same way every time.

“One thing I really learned from Steph and Klay is that they generate rhythm before the shot. I was really a catch-and-shoot guy,” Kerr said, adding, of Curry: “A lot of times he will build the rhythm for his shot with the dribble. So there’s a flow to his shot that I don’t remember anyone else having in the past.”

Also key now, Kerr said, is a player’s ability to create his own shot.

“The modern game, because of the space and the multipositional versatility guys display, I would only include the guys who can put it on the floor, create their own shot and still be lethal,” Kerr said.