Players come and go but the Golden State Warriors gets to keep NBA Superstar Stephen Curry, who now enters his 16th year with the same team in the league.
Curry is no stranger to new faces, but the departure of some, including Klay Thompson, has sparked the beginning of a new era for the Warriors.
With half of the Splash Brothers gone, and a seasoned veteran in Chris Paul leaving Golden State to join Victor Wembanyama and a young San Antonio Spurs, the four-time NBA Champion is now tasked to lead a revamped roster come the 2024-2025 NBA Season.
[ALSO READ:Splash Brothers for life: Warriors superstar Steph Curry pays tribute to Klay Thompson]
Coming in for the Warriors are Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson and De'Anthony Melton, who were acquired to fill the void left by Thompson, who now joins Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.
[ALSO READ: Splash Buddies: Buddy Hield set to join Stephen Curry, Warriors–reports]
With basically some new pieces around him, Curry wasn't quick to put grand expectations for the new-look Warriors.
“I think we’re in a position where we can be a relevant team early and give ourselves a chance to compete. Then assess where we are,” the four-time champion said as the Warriors held their media day festivities.
Thompson’s departure forced the Warriors to make changes for the first time in 12 years and that’s not entirely a step backward for the team as far as Draymond Green is concerned.
"It's just going to look a little different now,” Green commented.
The Warriors’ fiery and emotional leader believed the moment presents Golden State with an opportunity to learn.
"Where there's the most uncertainty, that's usually the biggest opportunity for growth.” the former Defensive Player of the Year winner added.
After failing to land Paul George in the offseason and being muddled in reports as Utah Jazz’ forward Lauri Markannen as a possible trade destination, Golden State turned their attention to signing role players in Hield, Anderson and Melton.
Green likened the new additions, comparing them to when the Warriors brought in Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr., and Nemanja Bjelica in the 2021-22 season en route to winning their fourth title.
“I think new additions were the real reason we won a championship in 2022,” Green spoke.
“The signing of Otto Porter, the signing of Nemanja Bjelica, the signing of Gary Payton II, those new additions are what took us from a borderline Play-in team to a championship team.”
Draymond Green on new additions like Buddy/Melton/Kyle, compares them to White/Al Horford etc
— Ashwin (@Sudharsan_ak) September 30, 2024
"Last time we had dependable guys like we do now (2022 roster having Bjelica, Otto etc), we did what we love to do"#DubNation pic.twitter.com/FoPKIkPCen
Curry agreed on his teammates’ vantage point.
“It is similar for sure. That's a good comparison, guys that have been around the league in different situations,” he said.
“I think (they) fit [and] style we try to play, even though we do need to evolve and have a different look on offense and defense.”
The Warriors' new additions remind Steph of the players the team added in the offseason before their 2022 championship run 👀 pic.twitter.com/o8qUSOncVy
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) September 30, 2024
Youngsters Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis are now expected to take a leap and carry more responsibility for a team who got eliminated in the play-in stage by crosstown rivals Sacramento Kings.
"Championships are won 6 through 10. Championships aren't won 1 through 5," Green reiterated.
One of the transcendental players of his generation, Curry accepts that in order to progress, the Warriors need to shake up a few things or tweak some.
Trying new things is a good for the Warriors, especially if Curry, arguably the best shooter in the NBA, is leading the charge.
"I think you get smacked in the face and don't make the playoffs, that's all the real message you need, the reminder you need ... when it comes down to your X's and O's and the style and all that type of stuff, being open to evolving and pivoting and figuring out what [works]," he admitted.
But Father Time is catching up fast, and Golden State might be in a hurry to maximize Curry's peak condition now that they turned the page on the ‘Splash Brothers' era.
“Whatever narrative you want to kind of key in on, for us to win, you've got to think things differently," Curry said.
