Shortly after the U.S. team gathered for the primary time in Las Vegas to vie for Olympic gold, Steph Curry said that “of course” he only desired to play for the Warriors, but within the wild environment of the NBA, “things change quickly.”
It was a slightly non-binding statement, and the quote resonated gently through the fan base. Curry was affirming his loyalty to the Warriors, but wasn't he also opening the exit door ever so barely?
When ESPN/Andscape's Marc J. Spears put much more pressure on Curry this week, he revealed much more about how he envisions the remainder of his profession.
“I always said I wanted to be a warrior forever,” Curry said Andscape“At this stage of my career, I feel like that’s possible.”
“To be honest, I'm taking it one step at a time. I think that's the only way that can keep me happy. And I can enjoy being myself when I'm out there playing. And I'm going to continue to make the decisions that are best for me and my career if it's just in the imagination. I want to win. Let's put it this way: It's a long-winded way of saying that I'd have a hard time if you were a bottom-place finisher just because you want to stay there. But I don't think that's going to be the reality.”
For someone who has all the time said he desired to retire a Warrior whose association with the franchise was truly special, Curry's recent attitude is not any longer unique. His commitment to the Warriors is conditional – correctly. When the team hits all-time low, it could't expect essentially the most loyal, selfless superstar in the fashionable NBA to stay around. The Warriors are more beholden to Curry than he’s to them.
The organization definitely wasn't blindsided by Curry's quotes. They are in meetings with him because he’s aware about the team's decisions and determines its direction. If he didn't mind sharing his feelings publicly, he undoubtedly revealed at the least as much behind closed doors. Unlike a few of his peers, Curry hasn't made public power plays to place pressure on his front office previously.
But that doesn't mean the comments shouldn't put Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Co. on alert. Before this summer, Curry was nothing in need of a fierce fighter for all times. The front office is already under pressure to enhance the roster, and now the results of failing to accomplish that are already clear.
Dirk Nowitzki's last three seasons with the Mavericks ended without playoff appearances. The same was true for Kobe Bryant's last three seasons with the Lakers.
Curry doesn't wish to go the way in which of Bryant and Nowitzki – spending their final seasons on irrelevant teams just to stick with the one franchise they know. The Warriors can't let that occur.
Myths about Draymond’s corporate policy
The Warriors' messages about what went unsuitable last season and what the team looks like for the 2024-25 season mostly revolve around one man: Draymond Green.
Had Green not missed a lot time, the pondering goes, the Warriors would have won about 50 games as a substitute of 46. He will likely be available far more often next season, meaning the Warriors should improve tremendously with more continuity and Green's sheer presence.
Does this theory hold water as an evidence for last season's lottery finish and as a prediction for next 12 months?
Green missed 31 games last season as a consequence of injury or suspension, including the 4 games he was ruled out of. Without Green, the Warriors finished 14-17 (.451).
In the 51 games that Green played, the Warriors achieved a record of 32-19 (.627). With Green, the Warriors achieved a 51-game winning percentage, the variety of games the Clippers needed to succeed in fourth place.
The huge difference shows how useful Green is to the Warriors and the way effective he still is as a player. The Warriors' net rating was 4.6 points higher with him on the court than off it, only Brandin Podziemski (+8.7) was higher in Golden State's predominant rotation.
Green remains to be an integral a part of the Warriors' game. Last 12 months they were borderline elite with him. Without him they were a foul team.
Once that’s clarified, the query arises whether Green can stay on the sphere – provided he stays healthy and doesn’t find yourself in detention by the league management.
That’s a more convincing conversation than “Green plays, Warriors good.”
Green was healthy within the 2022-23 season and played in 73 games. In the 2 full seasons before that, he only played in 46 and 63 games. He is 34 years old and has a history of back problems. He plays some of the physically demanding styles, more often than ever on the much more demanding center position.
Even if Green doesn't should go to the director despite the well-intentioned rehab he has undergone, it is just too much to ask of him at this stage of his profession to play greater than 70 games.
It's abundantly clear that the Warriors are higher when Green is on the market. The concern is how they'll improve than .500 when he inevitably goes down for one reason or one other.
Countdown to August 6
It is senseless for the Utah Jazz to carry onto Lauri Markkanen and never add anyone else to their roster. With Markkanen, they’re too good to let go (they cut him midseason because he won too many games). Re-signing him puts them exactly where Danny Ainge doesn't wish to go: lottery purgatory in what might be a generational draft.
Because of this, the Jazz have an incentive to trade a player they and every other team would love to construct a team around. They would most certainly should accomplish that before August 6, when the Finnish forward is eligible for a contract extension.
If the Jazz resolve to trade Markkanen, the Warriors have the tools and aggressive mentality to make a compelling offer. August 6 is marked on the calendar 1 Warriors Way.
Until then, you possibly can stay up for the whole group stage of the Olympics in basketball, the MLB transfer window and the finale of the second season of “House of the Dragon”.
Connections Answers
Last Sunday we created a Warriors-themed quiz inspired by the New York Times Connections game. Here are the answers:
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