The Golden State Warriors’ window to claim the NBA title is narrowing as their retooled roster, led by Steph Curry, sits in third place within the Pacific Division of the Western Conference.
The Bay Area’s premier team trailed the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers, in that order.
Since November 23, the club has managed just four wins in 17 outings, leaving them at 16-16 as 2024 comes to a close.
Their 113-95 defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 30 has since sparked fans’ suspicions that the franchise’s missteps may be more tied to its star player than to any rumored plans to overhaul the Warriors.
Curry’s own admissions that the club’s performance has been lackluster drew backlash toward the four-time champion. In a postgame news conference he was asked, “Steph, out of 16 and 16 going into the new year, what does that reflect about who you guys are right now, but where you guys can be moving forward?”
He replied, “Like the kids say, we’re very mid right now. We’re just very average.” His remarks continued, “I think we understand that better days can be ahead, you know. You’re not in that big a hole in the Western Conference if you look at the standings. You go on a five, six-game run, to us that sounds like a lot, but it is, like, the numbers. You can make up a lot of ground pretty quickly.”
Moreover, he explained, “You know, it’s a tough, tough task, but that fine line between losing hope and confidence and understanding, you know, one good week you’re kind of back in it. That’s where we are.”
Steph Curry: “Like the kids say, we’re very mid right now. Just very average.” pic.twitter.com/k2heozvcYT
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) December 31, 2024
The two-time MVP was the Warriors’ seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2009 draft. His legacy as the NBA’s all-time leader in made three-pointers was forged in the blue-and-yellow, yet his future with the franchise might be unsettled. Fans who normally celebrate his late-game buckets—like the 11-point showing against the Cavaliers—have seemingly turned on the father of four.
“Steph is a big part of the Problem and the Warriors front office and coaching staff is another part of the Problem. They underestimated how big of a piece Klay played in Curry success. Now they’re afraid to lean into the youth. But that’s the only way. Moody and Kuminga,” read one tweet.
Shooting guard Klay Thompson joined the Dallas Mavericks in July in a sign-and-trade deal that earned him a three-year, $50 million contract. He had spent 13 seasons with the Warriors after being drafted by them in 2011.
Curry signed a $62.6 million one-year extension in August. Three years earlier, in August 2021, he agreed to a four-year deal worth $215.4 million to play through the 2025-2026 season. The extension extends his stay through the 2026-2027 season.
And he is the main problem 😂
— 5th chip 🔜 (@legoatjames06) December 31, 2024
Elsewhere on Instagram, his on-court performances drew harsh reactions. One basketball aficionado advised him, “Gotta stop being washed.” Yet several supporters stood up for him. One defender wrote, “Bro, please GTFOH, and go somewhere win a 5th chip… you have no damn soul here helping you…”
Another user commented, “This organization has failed Steph big time … he should request a trade to a place where he can compete for a championship…. That’s it … enough.” In October there was widespread speculation that LeBron James and the Lakers might pursue Curry, though nothing came of it.
Even more questions arose about Curry’s future when he removed the organization from his Instagram bio. Even his wife, Ayesha Curry, was surprised by the move. He later clarified that it was temporary, noting his involvement with Team USA Men’s Basketball during the Paris Games.
Earlier this month, Steph acknowledged, “It’s OK to accept and acknowledge that the end is near,” when discussing his 15-year career. He has not indicated any official plans to retire.
