After a two-year absence from the playoffs, the Warriors (18-2) appear well on their way to clinching a spot for the postseason, and it’s not even December.
Entering the season, however, there was considerable doubt that the Warriors would be in position to compete for yet another championship, with Stephen Curry understanding why doubts existed.
“Well, why would they think we could?” Curry told Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports. “We had some of the worst situations happen with [Kevin Durant] getting hurt and leaving, Klay being out and then his Achilles, and our brand of basketball looked different with who was out there on the court.”
Curry acknowledged that he had his doubts too, noting how quickly the Warriors fell off after making the Finals in five consecutive seasons.
“I was talking to Draymond (Green) about this on the plane ride down here,” Curry said. “You have to understand how quickly things can change around the league. And there was a little doubt that crept in with us wondering would the business take over before we get to have a chance to get back with the injuries and decisions that need to be made all the while you’re working your ass off to get back physically and mentally into this very spot. We always felt that if we could just get some pieces, we can be right back where we wanted to be. So we know we got a long way to go, but we heard all of it obviously about our team being done. And that’s why I said, ‘Why wouldn’t they say that?’ because as great as it was for five years, it took a drastic downturn pretty quick.”
The entire piece from Haynes is well worth the read, as Curry opens up how the bubble was the lowest point of his basketball experience as well.
More Warriors Notes
- Kevon Looney will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but for now, head coach Steve Kerr appreciates what he brings to the table. “Looney is playing fantastic basketball,” Kerr said (h/t Mark Medina of NBA.com). “He’s totally underrated. He’ll never get the credit he deserves.” Looney’s averages aren’t the highest, but his contributions don’t necessarily show up in the box scores.
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Klay Thompson and James Wiseman have been assigned to the Warriors’ G-League affiliate in Santa Cruz, they announced on Twitter. Thompson is expected to return around Christmas time after missing the last two seasons with a torn ACL and torn Achilles. Wiseman has been out since April due to a torn right meniscus.
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Thompson had a vulnerable moment after the Warriors’ victory over the Trail Blazers on Friday, Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic writes. He was seen sitting on the bench for 35 minutes after the game ended, leaving no doubt that he wants to be a part of their success. The piece is well worth the read.
