BEVERLY HILLS, May 22, (THEWILL) – A tough 117-112 loss to the resilient Memphis Grizzlies in overtime meant Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors’ season has abruptly come to an end. The sense of the abruptness comes from the fact that they had shaken off the dip in midseason and were clicking into gear with the return of over 7,500 fans into the Chase Center and young players were starting to help with the old but suddenly, it has come to an end.
Following California’s relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, fans were into Chase Center for the first time since the pandemic began and were excited to be in-person spectators at the Warriors games. That excitement will have to now continue next season as Friday’s loss to the Grizzlies saw the Warriors become the first eighth seeded team in NBA history not to make the playoffs.
Fans who were looking forward to seeing Curry and his teammates test their resurgent mettle in a first-round series with the league-best Utah Jazz, must now take consolation in the fact that the Warriors will use the time before the next campaign to look back and reflect on the entire season while hoping that the momentum generated over the last third of the schedule carries over.
Although stomped by an injury crisis to key players, the team managed to hold their own, a fact that was not lost to Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who said: “Couldn’t be prouder of the group. Just incredible effort and determination. They stuck together. They made this season really meaningful over the last couple of months, and that’s important.”
A torn Achilles took out Klay Thompson last fall and knocked the team off balance, a knock from which they never truly recovered. Managing to keep the team competitive especially with injuries to star player Curry, was Kerr’s focus but he also made it about young-player development, especially those who suddenly found themselves taking up bigger responsibilities.
With the squad in a phase of change where Curry and Draymond Green are now the veteran leaders, who must learn to thrive amid a slew of younger and less experienced but highly adaptive players, it was about making their years of playing at the highest levels count as inspiration and being true models of a winning mentality.
Coach Kerr acknowledged this: “I think our young guys really grew. I think our vets had great years. So fun to see Kevon Looney healthy again. Steph and Draymond had just fantastic years. I think we made a lot of strides this year and I’m really, really excited about what’s next for this group.”
For their next season, carrying the momentum gathered in the last legs of this season is non-negotiable especially with Curry, Draymond and power forward Anthony Davis all playing their part as the leaders of the group. They must now try their utmost to keep fitness up to avoid injuries that can ultimately impinge on their success.
Being sidelined aside, Curry still had one of the best seasons of his career. His level was raised with each game he played that he became the oldest scoring champion since Michael Jordan. That is why he is a finalist in the race for his third NBA MVP.
Such was the sheer dominance of Curry’s overall play this season that, teams decided that the only way to defend against him was sending three guys at him at times, as he had shown that two were a waste of time. Going into next season knowing that Thompson will be available means Curry will have more space to exploit.
In his remarks after the tight loss to Memphis, Curry noted: “I don’t think I’ve put together a run like that, with that much [defensive] attention in my career, so it was a really rewarding experience.
“The great ones figure out a way to adapt, and understand what the challenge is and not complain about it, not make excuses, but just go out and hoop. … There’s some joy and fun in that, because you know the conversation is how they’re gonna stop you, and you’ve found ways to keep that question unanswered.”
They are out but there is so much to work with that late run in the season that the Warriors will feel confident going into the next season as they can take positives to make better while priming their young players for their best ever performances.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
