Steph Curry’s health long has been a topic of conversation around the Warriors.
Curry was hampered by ankle issues his first few seasons in the NBA, and has missed 50 games over the last two seasons, including six playoff games in 2018.
The Warriors know they must invest in keeping Curry on the floor after losing forwards Kevin Durant and Andre Iguodala this past offseason, not to mention playing at least half the season without shooting guard Klay Thompson.
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Rick Celebrini, the Warriors’ director of sports medicine and performance, was given a stacked budget to equip Chase Center with all the amenities the team needs to keep its aging stars on the floor.
From The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson:
They’ve got a hot tub, cold tub and underwater treadmill, which is already in heavy rotation as Klay Thompson, Kevon Looney and Willie Cauley-Stein use it. They’ve got a “mindfulness room” — a phone-free space where they can relax, meditate or even engage in brain-stimulating games on iPads or virtual reality training. A psychologist will even be on call if necessary. Yes, the Warriors now have their own Wendy Rhoades from “Billions.” They’ve also got a new AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill, which uses air pressure to allow individuals to walk or run at a lower percentage of their body weight — so a 230-pound Draymond Green will feel like he’s 115 pounds while he’s running.
The new BioFreeze Performance Center also will be equipped with sleep pods, which are the most compelling development for the two-time MVP.
Golden State Warriors
“The sleep pods,” Curry told Thompson. “That’s what I’m excited about.”
The point guard will need all the remedies he can get to avoid missing time on a nearly brand-new Golden State roster. But no one knows Curry’s body better than himself.
“I’ve always been on top of it like that,” Curry said. “So it won’t be anything new. All I need is the sleep pod and some space for the NormaTec sleeves.”
The additional postseason minutes accrued over five straight runs to the NBA Finals also have played a major factor, as Curry has played in 93 postseason games over that span. While the addition of KD allowed Steph to take more of a breather during the 2017 and 2018 playoffs, Durant’s multiple injuries during last season's postseason forced Curry to once again shoulder the majority of the burden, something he now will clearly need to do on a nightly basis.
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The good news for Curry is, the Warriors are sparing no expense in making sure he is ready to go as Golden State looks to keep the dynasty alive.