Tag: Stephen Curry

The best NBA teams of the decade, ranked

The Basketball Gods spoiled us this decade.

Over the last decade the Basketball Gods have bestowed some glorious storylines upon us.

We saw three future MVPs on one team in Oklahoma City that never won an actual championship. We saw the Warriors break the 72-10 Bulls’ regular season win record. We saw LeBron James’ Miami Heat rip off one of the longest winning streaks in NBA history.

I haven’t even gotten to Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs drama or the James Harden’s Rockets. We’ve been blessed this decade, folks. We’ve seen dynasties rise and fall, we’ve seen one-off titles that will last forever, and we’ve seen failures we’ll never forget.

But which teams were the best of the decade? We’re ranking them all right here.

Honorable Mentions

2009-10 Lakers

(PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

It’s hard to keep a champion out of the top 10 on this list, but this feels right. These Lakers were a great team — they won 57 games and were a repeat champion. But they were a year older and a bit worse than the season before. They also came right before the league’s 3-point boom. Had they been around in the next era, it’s hard to tell if they would’ve had the same success.

2010-11 Dallas Mavericks

(DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)

The same thing goes for these Dallas Mavericks. They had an amazing title run and were legitimately one of the best stories of the decade. But, pound for pound, they only had a single All-Star in Dirk Nowitzki. It’s hard to compare them to other teams later in the decade.

The All-Decade list

10. 2017-18 Houston Rockets

(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Okay, okay. I get it. The Rockets can’t get over the hump, James Harden’s playoff struggles, blah blah blah. Yes, we know. But the Rockets were the only team in the West that could even challenge the Kevin Durant-era Warriors. No, they never won, but neither did anyone else when they were fully healthy. They had an MVP, won 65 games and pushed the best roster ever to seven games. No one else can say that.

9. 2013-14 San Antonio Spurs

(Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)

This team was by far the best in the league that season. Their 9.1 net rating was tops in the league, they had four future Hall of Famers and a bunch of scrappy role players that moved the ball and defended at a top notch level. This is the team that shaped Kawhi Leonard into the player he is now. Speaking of which…

8. 2011-12 Miami Heat

(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

I’m totally afraid that I’m underrating this Miami Heat team. Though they weren’t at the peak of their powers just yet, they were still spectacular in a lockout shortened season where they won 46 of 66 games. Their season culminated in a dominant 4-1 Finals win over a Thunder team that they’d never see in the postseason again.

7. 2015-16 Golden State Warriors

(Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

This team could’ve very easily been closer to the top. They won a league record 73 games, had the longest winning streak to start a season ever (24), and had a UNANIMOUS MVP on their team. Yet, they also could’ve missed it completely after blowing a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals. They were the NBA’s biggest success and failure of the decade, all at once.

6. 2018-19 Toronto Raptors

(Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

These Raptors reaped the benefits from those 2014 Spurs. They essentially took Leonard on loan and rode him all the way to a title. They’re are the only team to win a playoff series against the Durant-led Warriors — even if they weren’t healthy. That’s a big achievement in itself.

5. 2014-15 Golden State Warriors

(Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

You can say what you want about this Warriors team — sure, they beat an injured Cavaliers team and they had a bit of luck on their way to a title. Most champions do. The bottom line is they won 67 games with a league MVP in Stephen Curry and a spectacular defense. They were incredible.

4. 2017-18 Golden State Warriors

(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

It’s hard to go back-to-back in this era of NBA basketball where stars are bouncing all over the place and the balance of the league is forever shifting. These Warriors were able to do it behind the brilliance of Curry and Durant once again — even with seeds of discord being sewn in the team.

3. 2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

This team is so hard to rank. They were a soap opera. These Cavaliers fired a coach with a 30-11 record midseason, subtweeted each other, and still felt failure of the Finals loss from the season before. But they made up for it with the most epic comeback in league history. You know — 3-1 deficit, unanimous MVP and all that good stuff.

2. 2012-13 Miami Heat

(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

This team’s 27 game winning streak on their way to 66 wins on the season is the second longest streak in NBA history. Only the 1971-72 Lakers’ 33-game streak is longer. They had LeBron James at the peak of his powers — that alone makes them one of the best teams in league history.

1. 2016-17 Golden State Warriors

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

This is quite simply the greatest collection of basketball talent we’ve ever seen – outside of an All-Star team – headed by Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant at their best. They rode that to a 67-win season and a 16-1 record in the playoffs, matching the unstoppable 2001 Lakers’ playoff run.

You can see all of our NBA coverage here.

Steph Curry releases new UA Curry 7 colorway with ode to ‘Dub Nation’

Stephen Curry’s newest signature shoe, the UA Curry 7 pays tribute to the Golden State Warriors fanbase, Dub Nation.

After suffering a broken hand, it’s been officially over one month since Stephen Curry suited up in a Golden State Warriors uniform, and to say it’s been rough wouldn’t do the two-time MVP justice. The Warriors are in the cellar of the 2019-20 NBA standings with a 5-19 record, while Curry is still a long way from returning to the Chase Center floor.

Although Curry isn’t launching three-pointers for Golden State, the All-Star’s signature sneaker is still rolling out new colorways— with the latest holding a special spot in Warriors’ fans hearts.

After releasing Under Armour Curry 7 colorways, “UNDRTD” and “Sour Patch Kids,” next up is “Dub Nation” — an ode to the passionate fanbase that surrounds the Golden State Warriors.

The sneakers’ moniker listed inside the Curry 7 locker in the Warriors store expresses the faith and loyalty Warriors fans had during the transition from Oracle Arena in Oakland to Chase Center in San Francisco.

“The stadium is new… but the fans, the energy, and the excitement is the same.”

Curry took to Twitter to state that he misses the fans and is patiently waiting to return to the floor, but in the meantime, the shoes are for the Dub Nation.

The Dub Nation Curry 7s have a blend of navy blue, with a unique dose of highlighter green. The shoe is currently available at the Warriors store in Chase Center, with a scheduled wide release on December 13, just in time for the holidays.

Jacob Evans return gives Warriors healthiest lineup since opening week

The Warriors have dealt with a litany of injuries that’s derailed their season, but for the first time in weeks, Steve Kerr will finally have a healthy roster at his disposal.

Injuries have defined the Golden State Warriors season in 2019. The defending Western Conference champions have dealt with injuries to both Splash Brothers, Klay Thompson, and Stephen Curry, but it doesn’t stop there.

11 of the Warriors 16-man roster have missed time with injury, headlined by Curry and Thompson. However, the team’s remaining All-Stars and vital role players like D’Angelo Russell, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney and Jacob Evans have all missed multiple games.

The Warriors record has suffered drastically as the team struggles to stay healthy, but they do lead the NBA in one category— games missed due to injury. According to sportrac.com the Warriors roster has 137 games missed due to injury with the New Orleans Pelicans being the next closest team with 83.

As bad as the start of the season has been, things are looking up in Golden State with the return of several injured players. Evans is slated to be available for the first time in 21 games when the team suits up against Memphis.

The Warriors second-year pro has been struggling with a nagging adductor injury in a season that initially had high expectations. Evans was tabbed to have more of a ball-handling role in his sophomore season with Golden State, but injuries have limited his opportunities.

According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Evans’ return will give the Warriors 12 healthy and available players for the first time since opening week.

Russell, Green, and Looney all returned healthy to the Warriors last week, and now, with Evans available, Damion Lee is the only member of Golden State dealing with a short-term injury.

For the first time since Curry suffered his broken hand in late October, Steve Kerr will have some flexibility with how he uses his lineup. In a season where development for the future is vital, the Warriors will finally get a chance to use multiple rotations and see how players fit in specific roles.

They now have the ability to send two-way player Ky Bowman back to the G League to save days on his 45-day contract. The Warriors could also afford to give struggling rookie, Jordan Poole some time in Santa Cruz with their G League affiliate as well.

Report: Steph Curry had second surgery to remove pins from broken hand

Stephen Curry is still on-track for February update after having surgery to remove pins from his broken left hand.

The Golden State Warriors season hasn’t been the same since Stephen Curry left with a hand injury against the Phoenix Suns in October. It’s been one month and six days since Curry’s injury, and the Warriors have only won three-of-19 games in that time, to say the team has missed their two-time MVP would be an understatement.

Curry’s 19 games missed due to injury will continue to grow as he’s not close to nearing a return, but there’s positive news on the All-Star’s rehab. Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Curry had his second surgery on his broken left hand, this time to remove pins from his surgically repaired hand.

Curry’s original injury timetable was set with a re-evaluation planned for February, and Charania confirmed the shooter is still on track for that evaluation period after having his second surgery.

Expect the Warriors to be incredibly patient with their franchise star’s rehab. Although it’s a positive sign Curry is still scheduled for re-evaluation in February, it would be a surprise if Golden State rushed him back to the floor.

With the Warriors sitting 15-games under .500 in only December, there’s little need for Curry to accelerate his comeback. The season is quickly turning into a developmental year with an emphasis on the future. Curry is only 31-years old and still the centerpiece to any, and all of the Warriors’ long-term plans.

Andre Iguodala shares epic story on Steph Curry dropping 40 after golf

What isn’t Stephen Curry good at? Andre Iguodala shared a story of Curry going for 40-points after spending the day on the golf course.

Both Andre Iguodala and Stephen Curry will go down as two of the best teammates in Golden State Warriors history, the duo shared three-storied championship runs, and their adventures on the golf course are pretty legendary too.

Both Iguodala and Curry have a lengthy relationship with their second favorite sport, golf. Both are avid players outside the NBA, with each stepping into the professional side of golf as well. Iguodala joined TNT’s broadcast of the PGA Championship in 2017, and Curry has participated in the Web.com golf tour.

Iguodala and Curry spent many off-days playing golf courses around NBA cities, even a back-to-back didn’t stop the pair from breaking out the clubs.

Now with the Memphis Grizzlies, Iguodala joined the Erik Anders Lang show to discuss golf and meditation. The former Finals MVP dropped an epic story about Curry and him on the golf course.

“Like, we got a game tomorrow, and it’s important for him to play well—If I don’t play well, it’s whatever they ain’t going to blame me,” Iguodala told Lang. “But he played great that day. He shot in the 70s like he always does. I shot ok— I shot in the 80s, so I was happy around that time. So, I might have broke 90 that day, and I was happy.”

The story gets better when Iguodala goes on to explain that Curry tallied 40-points after playing 18-holes on the golf course the same day, during a back-to-back in the NBA.

“I didn’t play well that night because I was like—’whatever,’ but he had like 40 that night—he had 40 that night. He killed them.”

Iguodala joked that no one on the team knew what the two were up to earlier, except the Warriors head coach, Steve Kerr. Kerr joked with Curry after the game that he should play golf every game day, according to Iguodala.

“Steve was like, ‘You guys better play good today.’ Then he was like, ‘Steph; you should play golf every day.’ It was funny— it was hilarious,” Iguodala said.

Chris Montano of House of Highlights, linked the Warriors against the Phoenix Suns in 2017 as the game Iguodala mentioned. Curry tallied 42 points, with eight three-pointers and 11 assists.

The percentage of the human population that can score 42-points in an NBA game is ultra-low, then to shoot a 70-on the golf course on the same day, all while traveling on an NBA schedule is astounding.

NBA already worrying what Warriors will do with 2020 high lottery pick

According to NBC Sports NBA Insider, Tom Haberstroh, the NBA is worried about the potential of the 2020 Golden State Warriors after owning a high lottery pick.

Just a season ago, the Golden State Warriors were at the top of the NBA’s food chain. The franchise went on a dynasty run that shook the core of the NBA— three Larry O’Brien trophies, five-straight trips to the Finals, multiple MVPs, and the best regular-season the league has ever seen.

Now, in 2019, saying things are drastically different is an understatement. Kevin Durant is with the Brooklyn Nets, the “Splash Brothers” are dealing with extended injuries and the Warriors have the worst record in the NBA at 4-19. However, there is still hope the team can turn things around as quickly as next season.

In 2020, Golden State should have some salary-cap flexibility to bring in new talent, with things like a traded player exception, and the mid-level exception; while Curry, Thompson, Draymond Green and D’Angelo Russell are all still under contract for the future. All positive steps towards getting back on track, but where the team could strike gold is the 2020 NBA draft.

The Warriors’ measly 2019 record is setting up the team to own a top pick in the 2020 draft lottery. The Warriors’ potential after getting healthy and adding firepower in 2020 is worrying some around the NBA, according to NBC Sports NBA insider Tom Haberstroh.

“The people I talk to around the league are really worried that they are going to trade that first-round pick, the 2020 pick—because if they load up with an All-Star-type player with that pick, they are terrified—or if they land a Luka Doncic in the draft, they’re terrified. ” Haberstroh said when joining the Warriors-Hornets television broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area. “So, that 2020 pick, adding to the group they have established here with Paschall stepping in right away, man—I think every team is going to try to do a gap year.”

A healthy and rested Splash Brother tandem, paired with Russell, Green, Paschall and either another All-Star talent or high lottery pick could poise the Warriors for a return back to dominance, a scary thought for the rest of the NBA.

Warriors flexed from two nationally televised games with ratings down

With the Warriors lacking star power because of injuries to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, two upcoming nationally televised games have been flexed from the schedule.

The start of the Golden State Warriors 2019-20 season is different for everyone— the players, the fanbase and even the television networks. The Warriors were once the definition of must-watch television, “Splash Brothers,” Draymond Green barking at Kevin Durant, Steve Kerr breaking clipboards, and JaVale McGee “Shaqtin’ a fool.”

Fast forward to 2019, and there’s no Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, or Kevin Durant, just more Kerr breaking clipboards than anything else. Now, most of the Warriors star power is located on the bench as the team leads in the NBA in games missed due to injury.

Curry, Thompson, Green and D’Angelo Russell have all missed significant time with injury in 2019. 15-All-Star appearances combined, all on the mend.

Now, with the league’s worst record, the Warriors are running out players like Willie Cauley-Stein. Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks as headliners—not exactly household names. The Warriors best ticket might be their 2019 second-round draft pick, Eric Paschall.

Because of injuries and lack of cache, the Warriors television ratings have unsurprisingly dipped. John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal reported Golden State’s ratings on their local network, NBC Sports Bay Area are down 51 percent. It’s not just Golden State that is struggling, ESPN and TNT’s NBA ratings are down according to Ourand.

The Warriors’ bad news regarding television doesn’t stop there as the league announced two upcoming games would be flexed out of national television. December 13 in Utah and December 17 in Portland, will no longer be televised on ESPN.

While the Warriors are struggling, it may be a good idea for the team to take a step back from the national stage and continue to develop. When Curry and Thompson make their return to the lineup, the Warriors will likely be back to getting a litter of nationally televised games.

The highest paid NBA players of 2019-20

The top 20 highest paid players in the NBA all make at least $30 million.

It’s a great time to be a professional basketball player. If you were thinking of putting your kid in sports soon, definitely have them pick up a basketball.

We knew the league’s salary cap was blowing up a while ago, but I’m not sure anybody imagined it being like this. The NBA is flush with cash right now. The 20 highest paid players in the NBA will all make at least $30 million this season.

It’s not just the LeBron Jameses and Kevin Durants of the world either — there are legitimate non-All-Star players who are jumping into the NBA’s top tax bracket.

You can see the full salaries at HoopsHype.

20. Paul Millsap — $30,000,000

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

19. Khris Middleton — $30,603,448

(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

18. Kyrie Irving — $31,742,000

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

17. Mike Conley — $32,511,623

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

16. Gordon Hayward — $32,700,690

(AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

T-11. Tobias Harris — $32,742,000

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

T-11. Jimmy Butler — $32,742,000

(Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports)

T-11. Kawhi Leonard — $32,742,000

(Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

T-11. Kemba Walker — $32,742,000

(AP Photo/Sarah Stier)

T-11. Klay Thompson — $32,742,000

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

10. Paul George — $33,005,556

(Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

9. Kyle Lowry — $33,296,296

(Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports)

8. Blake Griffin — $34,449,964

(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

7. Kevin Durant — $37,199,000

(Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

6. LeBron James — $37,436,858

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

T-4. John Wall  — $38,199,000

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

T-4. James Harden  — $38,199,000

(AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

T-2. Chris Paul — $38,506,482

(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

T-2. Russell Westbrook — $38,506,482

(AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

1. Stephen Curry — $40,231,758

(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Stephen Curry shows off incredible memory during career highlight quiz

What isn’t Stephen Curry good at? The All-Star guard was quizzed on some of his career highlights in his career and didn’t miss.

The Golden State Warriors broadcast team is pulling out all the stops during the team’s underperforming 2019-20 season. The Warriors flagship television station, NBC Sports Bay Area, has utilized both of the “Splash Brothers” in recent broadcasts.

Klay Thompson served as the team’s sideline reporter against the Chicago Bulls, while Stephen Curry sat in as an analyst during the pregame and postgame coverage for the Warriors matchup against the Miami Heat.

The broadcast had some games planned for Curry, including a pop-a-shot shootout with Warriors Hall of Famer, Chris Mullin, and a quiz on some of his career highlights.

The only information the three-time champion was told was the game’s date and then was asked to state the highlight that came out of that game. Some of the highlights went back to 2010, and in familiar Curry fashion, he did not miss. Watch the NBC Sports Bay Area video below to see Curry’s memory on display.

After Curry was perfect in the pregame show, the broadcast decided to double-down in the postgame and rechallenge the guard. Curry knocked down every highlight the show lined up until he was finally stumped when asked about a preseason game from 2015.

Watching Curry do his thing in front of the camera begs the question, what can’t he do? Two time NBA MVP, scratch golfer, television personality, and now a photographic memory. Warriors fans won’t be seeing Curry return to the floor anytime soon as he recovers from his broken hand. However, an appearance on the television broadcast might be the next best thing.

Stephen Curry broke down Jordan Poole’s career night vs. the Heat

With Stephen Curry out of the lineup with a broken hand, he helped out with media coverage for the Warriors on Friday.

First, it was Klay Thompson, now it’s Stephen Curry.

On Friday, the two-time MVP put his analyst cap on and joined NBC Sports Bay Area for some studio coverage as the Warriors lost to the Miami Heat on the road.

Rookie Jordan Poole tied a career-high with 20 points while he went 5-of-6 from 3-point range in 28 minutes off of the bench. As Curry pointed out, Poole had a number of open looks, which he knocked down without hesitation.

The performance by Poole was much-needed after struggling with his shot recently. Prior to Friday night, Poole had gone just 4-of-31 (12.9%) from 3-point range in his previous seven games but snapped out of his recent slump by draining a season-high five attempts from beyond the arc.

With Curry out of the lineup with a broken hand, he helped out with media coverage on Friday while Thompson worked as a sideline reporter for the Warriors’ game on Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls.

Poole is still working through staying consistent this season but he has shown the ability to get hot from 3-point range, which certainly gives the Warriors hope for the future. He has the opportunity to learn from the likes of Curry and Thompson and could have a bright future in the Bay.

The Warriors play next on Sunday against the Orlando Magic.

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