"You don't want to see us next year."
That served as the echoing one-liner phrase from Stephen Curry, moments after the Golden State Warriors crumbled in the 2021 Play-In against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Dubs had two great opportunities to advance to the playoffs, but they blew it and can only contemplate on what would be their next step.
Little known by many, who would have thought that this sentence ultimately paved the way towards the revival of the Golden State dynasty in the 2022-23 season?
2021 NBA Draft
Owning two first-round picks from the huge Andrew Wiggins trade and their devastating loss in the Play-In last season, the Warriors had a shot to position themselves for a great future.
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| Image courtesy: NBA |
The Dubs picked Jonathan Kuminga for the seventh pick of the 2021 Draft, wherein the 18-year-old forward from G League Ignite possesses a wonderful physical and athletic wits at a young age. Meanwhile, the well-rounded swingman Moses Moody was chosen for the 14th pick of the rookie selection.
Curry forges long-term bond, Iguodala rejoins team, Porter Jr. and Bjelica slides in
To show his confidence to the franchise that they'll be able to do special moments again, Curry further pledged his allegiance with Golden State, hammering a four-year, $215 million extension that will tie him until the 2025-2026 season in the Bay Area. Many have thought it was a bold move for the two-time MVP, given the speculations and doubts if the Warriors can still regain their lost glory.
After two years of lost connection, the Dubs regained Andre Iguodala in free agency for added familiarity and bold hopes of the team for a potential title hunt. They also signed free-agents Otto Porter Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica to a one-year deal for added frontcourt depth and firepower off the bench.
Curry breaks NBA's three-point record
The Warriors have blazed off to a strong start in December last year, imposing a 23-5 record behind the brilliance of Curry, Jordan Poole being sensational and the blooming resurgence of starting wingman Andrew Wiggins. As such, the superstar point guard was also on the cusp of historic mark – becoming the NBA's all-time 3-point king.
On December 15, in front of the world's famous Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks, Curry buried his 2,974th 3-pointer with 7:33 left in the first quarter that elevated him above the mountaintop of the league's record in threes made. Following the triumph, a timeout was made to conduct a lengthy celebration for Curry, who embraced the joyous crowd, teammates, family, as well as Reggie Miller and Ray Allen – two of the best marksmen in the game who held the record prior to Curry.
“I thought the night was perfect,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who called timeout after the record shot to make room for a celebration. “It just pretty much encapsulated who he is and his reaction to it was perfect.”
Klay makes return after two-season absence
Klay Thompson can't wait enough to nail a bucket after 941 days of absence since being sidelined due to both ACL and Achilles injury.
And on January 9, he surely made it happen as he finally made a comeback.
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| Image courtesy: CFP/CGTN |
Driving his way hard towards the hoop, Thompson registered a two-point layup in the first possession against the Cleveland Cavaliers after missing two seasons for the Warriors. The two markers only contributed to the 17 total points he made on the night of his much awaited return.
17 points in 19 minutes. Amid minute restriction, it was a familiar performance from the star shooting guard.
“I was so excited I saw a lane to the basket that I just took the opportunity,” Thompson said. ” After that I thought it was going to be one of those nights where I might be unconscious. I did not shoot as well as I wanted to but I’m so happy I can even look at the stat sheet and see my name there. It’s been a long run. I’m not going to say it equivalent to winning a championship but it was pretty close.”
Throughout the night, the Chase Center crowd was rejoicing. Thompson endured more than he can ever imagine and he's finally back loving the moment again.
75th All-Star Game; Curry named MVP
The 2022-23 season has reached the middle part, with the league's 75th All-Star game taking its place. As expected, Stephen Curry's inclusion was given his usual greatness, with Draymond Green unfortunately unavailable to join him in Cleveland due to his injury.
But more than Curry, it was Andrew Wiggins who gained relevance on the Warriors. After five years in the NBA, the former top overall pick made it to the All-Star team and finally lived up to his potential. As he spent his early years in the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wiggins found a home in the Bay Area that ultimately locked his capabilities.
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| Image courtesy: Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images/SB Nation |
With all the stars being aligned for the All-Star game, Curry erupted with 50 markers to go with a record 16 threes en route to his first Kobe Bryant All-Star Game MVP
Golden postseason run
The Warriors had a rising regular season, poised for a probable title run yet again. Complete and fully packed entering the postseason stage, they imposed a 53-29 record that was good enough for the Western Conference's third seed.
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| Image courtesy: Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images/SB Nation |
Landing in the first round bracket, the Dubs had a daunting challenge in front of them – the Denver Nuggets with the reigning back-to-back league MVP Nikola Jokic. Despite the fact that they were undermanned, the Nuggets proved themselves as worthy playoff enemy with Jokic's all-around greatness leading them
The Warriors went on to carve an early 3-0 series lead, giving the Nuggets a hard time to make a comeback. The saga was forced to fifth game, but Curry didn't allow Denver to recover and went on to beat Jokic and the co. via gentleman's sweep.
Marching in the second round, the young and exciting Memphis Grizzlies were waiting for them, but the Dubs didn't falter with their experience and glowing championship identity.
Despite not having a homecourt advantage, the Dubs put up a quick work and finished off the Grizzlies in six games. With Ja Morant handicapped, the Warriors capitalized his absence to be able to make a drop off to the Conference Finals.
The Warriors arrived in the Conference Finals with momentum rising for regaining their old golden touch, but on their way was the sensational Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. The Slovenian phenom led his ball squad in squashing the regular season best in Phoenix Suns to secure a ticket to the title semis.
The Warriors' overwhelming championship pedigree and experience proved to be too much for the Mavs, as they went down 0-3 and in brink of elimination. After forcing a critical Game 5, Curry and Wiggins didn't allow Dallas to live and fight for another day – as they powered the Warriors back to the NBA Finals.
The Warriors have climbed their way up to a familiar place – the NBA Finals. But on their entry, a gritty and hungry Boston Celtics team who fought their way up also was looking for blood.
Despite this challenge, Curry and his squad didn't fear the adversity. Combatting self-errors, the pressure of the Boston defense and the towering odds as the underdogs, the Warriors have knuckled the Celtics in a gruelling six-game title series.
It was a moment of glory yet again for Curry and Golden State – fourth NBA title in an eight-year span. More than anything, the last season's feat will serve as the
References:
https://www.nba.com/news/four-more-years-stephen-curry-finalizes-215m-extension-with-warriors
https://warriorswire.usatoday.com/lists/how-new-signees-porter-jr-bjelica-fit-into-warriors-roster/
https://www.nba.com/warriors/news-blogs/kuminga-moody-20210729
https://www.espn.ph/nba/recap/_/gameId/401360238
https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401360423
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