All-Star Curry ready to help Warriors chase another title
SAN FRANCISCO » Stephen Curry is coming off a career season, and now he is ready to chase another championship with a cast that includes familiar faces and young newcomers.
After becoming NBA scoring champion for the second time, Curry wants to ride the momentum his Golden State Warriors had gained down the stretch before the season ended abruptly in a play-in game against Memphis.
“I know how we operate and we have a crop of amazingly talented, high-potential energetic young guys who have a lot to accomplish in this league and we hopefully can marry the two in terms of what we do on the floor every single night,” said Curry, who averaged 32.0 points.
The Warriors will get going with everybody eagerly awaiting Klay Thompson’s return after two years on the sidelines nursing a pair of major injuries — first, a torn ACL in his left knee suffered during Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals, then a torn right Achilles tendon that also needed an operation after he got injured in November before the start of training camp.
For now, Curry is counting on his supporting cast of Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, emerging star Jordan Poole and veteran Andre Iguodala among others.
Curry has plenty of unfinished business. The two-time MVP completed a $215 million, four-year contract extension in August that takes him through the 2025-26 season when he will be 38. It is his second $200 million deal.
The Warriors open the season on the road against LeBron James and the Lakers next Tuesday night. THOMPSON’S STATUS » Thompson would like nothing more than to be on the court for opening night. He also wants to make sure he returns to his top form from 2019.
Thompson has appreciated gaining some perspective and learning to pace himself during the past two years and an exhausting rehabilitation process.
“Obviously, I’ve seen it just in how he’s attacked this rehab versus the last one,” Curry said. “I know there’s circumstances you couldn’t control with the pandemic and being away from staff and whatnot. But just his commitment to this process, understanding the sense of urgency of doing everything first class so that he gives himself the best chance to get back to 2019 Klay.”
Until Thompson is ready, the Warriors know Poole will provide a talented option in the lineup.
LET IT FLY » If the Warriors take 80 3-pointers, coach Steve Kerr will accept that number if they are smart shots and the ball movement is efficient.
“I don’t concern myself with how many shots guys are taking. I concern myself with good shots.”
Golden State attempted 69 3s in its first preseason game at Portland and another 46 hosting the Nuggets — in fact, Kerr has even instructed Green to “let it fly” from long range if he’s open.