Stephen Curry, the face of the Golden State Warriors' modern era, recently opened up about the team's past dominance and the uncertain future that lies ahead. Reflecting on an era built around himself, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, Curry isn't convinced that another dynasty will mirror the Warriors' achievements.
End of an Era
With a tone of nostalgia, Curry remembers the significant milestones, including the unexpected but triumphant championship run in 2022. "I mean obviously defining a dynasty can take a lot of different looks," Curry remarked. "People thought this was over in 2019 ... but 2022 was an amazing championship because we defied the odds." This period of excellence spanned almost 12 years, a near-unprecedented run in the modern NBA marked by continuity and success.
The trio of Curry, Thompson, and Green brought a unique blend of skills and chemistry that fueled their success. “That's 11 years of almost 12 years of championship relevancy built around a certain core,” Curry noted, emphasizing the rarity of their sustained dominance. “Me, Klay and Draymond, we complemented each other so well for so long. We all brought something different to the table, so we'll see."
Shifting Dynamics
The Warriors' core faced significant change with Klay Thompson’s departure to the Dallas Mavericks. Curry’s sentiments revealed the emotional weight of this shift. "It sucks," he 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 these feelings, highlighting the family-like atmosphere the team cultivated. "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."
New Faces, New Challenges
Despite their recent playoff woes—missing out in the second round in 2023 and falling short in the play-in tournament in 2024—the Warriors are gearing up with renewed vigor. The team added Kyle Anderson, De'Anthony Melton, and Buddy Hield to their roster, aiming to reconstruct a competitive unit. Moreover, the Warriors continue to nurture young talent, including prospects like Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, and Trayce Jackson-Davis, laying down a foundation for the future.
Commitment to the Bay
Amidst these changes, Curry’s loyalty to the Golden State Warriors and the Bay Area remains unshaken. “Being in one place for my own 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,” he humorously noted.
This sense of belonging and continuity isn’t just a professional obligation for Curry—it's deeply personal. "This has become a family over the years and people have watched us grow and stay together and succeed and fail,” he remarked. He concluded with a poignant declaration: “I love the Bay and the Bay is home and I never want that to change."
As the Golden State Warriors navigate this transitional phase, the shared history and enduring commitment of players like Stephen Curry will undoubtedly guide the team forward. While the future may bring new faces and challenges, the legacy of the Warriors' remarkable era will continue to inspire both the team and its fanbase.