Steph Curry heard all the whispers about the Warriors' run being over. He understood the doubts.
“Well, why would they think we could?” Curry told Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes about those who doubted the Warriors could return to the top of the NBA. “We had some of the worst situations happen with [Kevin Durant] getting hurt and leaving, Klay being out and then his Achilles, and our brand of basketball looked different with who was out there on the court."
The two-time MVP also admitted to Haynes that he had some doubts himself about the Warriors' ability to make the climb all the way back before age, business and other factors take their toll.
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“I was talking to Draymond about this on the plane ride down here,” Curry continued to Haynes. “You have to understand how quickly things can change around the league. And there was a little doubt that crept in with us wondering would the business take over before we get to have a chance to get back with the injuries and decisions that need to be made all the while you're working your ass off to get back physically and mentally into this very spot.
"We always felt that if we could just get some pieces, we can be right back where we wanted to be. So we know we got a long way to go, but we heard all of it obviously about our team being done. And that's why I said, ‘Why wouldn’t they say that?’ because as great as it was for five years, it took a drastic downturn pretty quick."
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There was a lot of pressure on president of basketball operations Bob Myers and owner Joe Lacob to make a splash move this past offseason in order to maximize what is left of Curry's prime. Instead, the Warriors rebuilt their depth, believed in the growth of third-year guard Jordan Poole and pointed to the impending return of Klay Thompson as reason no big swing was needed.
Golden State Warriors
Through 20 games, the Warriors' route has proved correct. Golden State now sits at 18-2 following Sunday's win over the Clippers in Los Angeles, and the Warriors expect to have Thompson return to the court soon, reuniting Curry with his backcourt mate for the first time in over two years.
After five straight trips to the NBA Finals, Curry and the Warriors sunk to the bottom of the NBA. They have clawed their way back, taking the long road from league cellar to legitimate title threat. Now, the NBA's great bully has returned.
No doubt about it.