Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry showered his team with praise after their 35-point season opener win against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday evening. The Dubs will begin a new era without Klay Thompson from here on out. Much has been made about how far the Warriors can go or how they’ll look without their former future Hall of Fame sharpshooter. Nevertheless, with one win in the books, Curry appears as excited as ever.
Warriors Superstar Steph Curry Shows Love To His Teammates After Season Opener
Solid Culture, No Ego, Says Steph Curry
A ‘beautiful locker room,’ that’s how Warriors superstar Steph Curry put it after beating the Trail Blazers Wednesday night 139-104. The blowout marked the perfect start to a new NBA campaign for a team that experienced significant roaster change over the summer. Well, suffice it to say, the team showed up, and it wasn’t solely accomplished on Curry’s back.
Curry had 17 points and ten assists in the contest. But Golden State’s “others” made some serious impact (no, I’m not speaking of Draymond Green, who picked up one of 16 technical fouls for the year). Six players finished the night in double digits, while Andrew Wiggins and Buddy Hield exceeded 20 points, respectively. It was refreshing to see Wiggins perform in the way he did, considering his struggles on and off the court over the last year. Wiggins will be integral to the Warriors season behind Curry.
Following the game, Curry spoke with reporters and expressed his joy over the win, Steve Kerr‘s 12-man rotation, as well as with the guys he shares a locker room with.
“Our energy’s been great from day one of training camp,” Curry told reporters. “It’s a beautiful locker room, guys that are happy to be here, happy to play the way that we do… You have to have a commitment. No agendas, no egos. Well, healthy egos. When you’re out there, you know you’re supposed to be out there. But if it’s not your night, you can’t bring the team down with your energy. Haven’t seen any red flags of that.”
Curry lost his long-time splash brother this summer. In multiple interviews, he has admitted that Thompson’s exit has had a profound effect. Still, it is relieving to hear his words regarding his current teammates.
Free Agents Stepping Up
Hield’s 22 points had to make Coach Kerr happy, as it did Curry. Along with Hield, Kyle Anderson and De’Anthony Melton signed with Golden State over the off-season. Melton impressed during the pre-season already, which led Kerr to speak glowingly about him on a few occasions. The former Grizzlies point guard is expected to help Curry in the backcourt and pick up the slack when Curry heads to the bench.
Anderson, who came over from the Timberwolves, wasn’t signed to put up electric offensive numbers. His defense, specifically his perimeter defense, was the main reason the Warriors signed him. His first outing didn’t amount to much. However, Anderson is still expected to be an impact player defensively, an element the Warriors need. Hield had the best night overall, no question. If he can shoot 5-7 from three every night as he did against Portland, the Warriors will undoubtedly benefit.
Curry’s Optimism is Important to Recognize
If the Warriors can adjust to life without Thompson sooner rather than later, it might be wise to include them as a potential playoff team. If not a direct playoff team, at the very least, a play-in team. Curry’s reaction following Wednesday’s game shows he believes in the guys he has now. If the best shooter in the history of the NBA cubically expressed faith in you, you have every reason to go out there and prove him right. Don’t count the Warriors out. They may very well surprise in the West if Steph Curry has any say in the matter.
