Stephen Curry recently shared his thoughts on the Golden State Warriors' dynasty and the changes they've faced. In a candid interview with ESPN's Malika Andrews, Curry expressed doubt that another team could replicate the Warriors' incredible run, especially given the current nature of the NBA.
"I mean, obviously, defining a dynasty can take a lot of different looks," Curry said. "People thought this was over in 2019 ... but 2022 was an amazing championship because we defied the odds. That's 11 years of almost 12 years of championship relevancy built around a certain core."
The Warriors' core trio—Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green—formed the backbone of their success, creating a synergy that's rare in professional sports. "I don't think [it will be replicated] just because it's very hard to keep things together in this league," Curry noted. "A lot more player movement. 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. Records are meant to be broken. Dynasties come in all different shapes, so we'll see."
Curry admitted that Thompson's departure to the Dallas Mavericks has left a void. "It sucks not to have Thompson as my teammate anymore," he said, reflecting on how much he "desperately" wanted Thompson back in a Warriors uniform. Despite this, Curry respects Thompson's decision to seek a fresh start and hopes he can rediscover the joy he once had on the court. "It's something that I never imagined would be a reality, but we want him to be happy," Curry said.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr also shared his sentiments about Thompson leaving. "Bizarre" was the word he used to describe the upcoming season without one of their key players. "This has become a family over the years, and people have watched us grow and stay together and succeed and fail," Kerr remarked. "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."
Interestingly, the Warriors themselves needed a change, though not necessarily from Thompson. The past two seasons saw them exit the playoffs in the second round in 2023 and then get eliminated from the play-in tournament in 2024. With Curry's contract ticking down to its last two years, the Warriors are focusing on maximizing what time he has left.
Golden State has made some strategic moves, acquiring Kyle Anderson, De'Anthony Melton, and Buddy Hield following Thompson's trade. The team is also putting more emphasis on their younger talents, including Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, and Trayce Jackson-Davis.
Curry is well aware that the team will look very different this season, which brings both challenges and opportunities. "There was a comfort for me in taking the court every night next to Thompson," Curry said. Even during Thompson's two-year injury hiatus, his presence on the bench or in the locker room provided a rare sense of familiarity and stability. "We would've loved to maintain the core and finish out together," Curry added. "So you have to be able to celebrate what we accomplished and be able to move."
As for his own career, Curry is committed to finishing it with the Warriors, the only team he has ever known. "Being in one place for my entire career, and it's like a broken record, but I know it's really hard to do that," he said. "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 and doing high school visits in the Bay [Area] for my daughter. It's crazy. [It's] just the nature of where I'm at. But yes, all that to say I love the Bay and the Bay is home and I never want that to change."
In summary, Curry's reflections highlight the unique bond and success the Warriors' core has enjoyed over the past decade. While the NBA landscape continues to evolve with more player movement and new dynamics, Curry remains hopeful yet realistic about the future. The departure of Thompson marks the end of an era, but it also opens a new chapter for the Warriors and their loyal fans.
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