The Warriors' Era of Dominance: Stephen Curry Reflects on Past Glory and Future Hopes
Stephen Curry, the undisputed leader of the Golden State Warriors, recently opened up about the team's golden era of dominance, reflecting on the incredible journey alongside his long-time teammates, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. It’s a chapter that many feel ended prematurely, yet Curry sees it differently. "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 remarked.
The Warriors' remarkable stretch began over a decade ago, built around a core that has lasted nearly 12 years. They were seemingly back on track when they clinched the 2022 championship, a victory that came after many had doubted their capability to reclaim their former glory. This defiance of expectations has been a consistent theme for the team led by Curry, Thompson, and Green.
However, all good things come to an end, and the Warriors’ core has seen a significant shift. Klay Thompson, an integral part of the team’s fabric, has left for the Dallas Mavericks. This departure has left a noticeable gap, both on and off the court. "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."
Warriors' head coach, Steve Kerr, echoed Curry's sentiments, acknowledging the emotional impact of Thompson’s departure. "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."
Despite the changes, Curry remains hopeful and steadfast about the future. "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, displaying the resilient spirit that has defined his tenure in the league.
This off-season, the Warriors have taken strategic steps to bolster their roster, adding key players like Kyle Anderson, De'Anthony Melton, and Buddy Hield. Simultaneously, they are nurturing promising young talents such as Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, and Trayce Jackson-Davis. These moves indicate a balanced approach of injecting experienced talent while fostering the next generation of Warriors stars.
The immediate past has been a mixed bag for the team. The Warriors missed the playoffs in the second round in 2023 and fell short in the play-in tournament in 2024. These setbacks, however, do not deter Curry. His commitment to the team remains unwavering, as he plans to finish his career with the Golden State Warriors. "I love the Bay and the Bay is home and I never want that to change," he affirmed.
Reflecting on the trio that brought them multiple championships, Curry still marvels at the uniqueness of their bond and the complementary nature of their games. "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," he mused, acknowledging the challenges of replicating such a partnership in today’s NBA where player movement is more prevalent.
As the Warriors navigate this period of transition, both Curry and the organization remain focused on building a team capable of competing at the highest level. Looking back at the dynasty built around a core of enduring stars, it’s clear the journey has been about more than just winning; it’s been about creating a legacy, one that the Warriors and their fans will cherish for years to come.