Stephen Curry Reflects on the Golden State Warriors' Legacy
Stephen Curry has been the heart and soul of the Golden State Warriors for over a decade, and as he reflects on their era of dominance, he acknowledges the uniqueness of their journey alongside Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
With the Warriors clinching another championship in 2022, a feat many thought impossible after their supposed end in 2019, Curry remains reflective yet skeptical about the possibility of another dynasty mirroring their achievements. "I mean obviously defining a dynasty can take a lot of different looks. People thought this was over in 2019 ... but 2022 was an amazing championship because we defied the odds," Curry stated. "That's 11 years of almost 12 years of championship relevancy built around a certain core. I don't think [it will be replicated] just because it's very hard to keep things together in this league. A lot more player movement. Me, Klay and Draymond, we complemented each other so well for so long." He added, "We all brought something different to the table, so we'll see."
Despite the celebratory reminiscing, the current realities of the team are hard to ignore. Klay Thompson's departure to the Dallas Mavericks marks the end of an era for the Warriors. "It sucks," Curry confessed. "We would've loved to maintain the core and finish out together. ... So you have to be able to celebrate what we accomplished and be able to move."
Head coach Steve Kerr echoed Curry's sentiments, expressing his own sense of loss while appreciating Thompson's need for change. "This has become a family over the years and people have watched us grow and stay together and succeed and fail," Kerr observed. "So Klay leaves, it's like, yeah, it's bizarre for us, it's bizarre for everybody. [But] everybody is given a ton of freedom here and they have to do what's in their heart. The best thing for Klay, he needed a change."
While the Warriors missed the playoffs in the second round in 2023 and fell short in the play-in tournament of 2024, their ambitions have not waned. The team has made strategic additions to the roster, bringing in Kyle Anderson, De'Anthony Melton, and Buddy Hield to infuse new energy and skills. Concurrently, they are nurturing young talents like Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, and Trayce Jackson-Davis, ensuring that the rebuilding phase is robust and promising.
Despite these changes, Curry's commitment to the Bay Area remains unwavering. "Being in one place for my entire career ... I know it's really hard to do that. I want to be greedy and say we can be relevant and be in the mix and give ourselves a realistic chance to win while I'm still growing these gray hairs," Curry humorously noted. His bond with the area is clear when he says, "I love the Bay, and the Bay is home and I never want that to change."
As Curry continues to navigate his illustrious career with the Golden State Warriors, the past decade's achievements serve as a testament to their collective effort, resilience, and exceptional talent. Though the certainty of replicating such a dynasty remains unsure, Curry's dedication to giving his all until the very end assures fans that the Warriors' spirit is far from extinguished.