Stephen Curry made his first public comments Saturday on the Kevin Durant–Draymond Green altercation, trying to smooth over an incident that some have suggested could lead to the end of the Warriors‘ dynasty, relays Nick Friedell of ESPN.
“I think the way we’ve handled it as a team, the way Draymond’s handled it, the way KD’s handled it, it’s been nothing but professionalism and understanding that it’s about the team,” Curry told reporters before Saturday’s game. “And the conversations that we’ve all had, whether it’s one-on-one, as a team, is keeping that in mind. We have the opportunity to do something extremely special this year. There’s going to be ups and downs and bumps in the road, whether it’s self-inflicted or whether it’s from outside.”
The Warriors suspended Green for one game for a verbal tirade against Durant in an overtime loss to the Clippers. Durant was calling for the ball at the end of regulation, but Green kept it and committed a turnover. Durant snapped at Green and he unleashed an angry response in which he referenced Durant’s upcoming free agency and allegedly said, “We don’t need you. We won without you. Leave.”
“They have a lot of equity built in their relationship,” Curry said of Durant and Green. “We’ve won championships together. They’ve brought out the best in each other. Obviously, I don’t think they’ve had an incident to this level, but you don’t have the experiences you’ve had and go through the journey that we’ve been on and let it be derailed by something like that. Obviously, from a personal standpoint, there are things that need to be worked through. That’s like any relationship in life. But at the end of the day, they both understand that neither one of them is going to be a reason that we don’t win a championship this year. I can roll with that.”
There’s more Warriors news this morning:
- Curry, who has missed the past five games, is making progress with a strained left groin, even though he won’t be re-evaluated for another week, Friedell adds in the same story. “Progress is moving in the right direction,” Curry said. “Haven’t had any setbacks or anything like that. But it’s more so about getting full range of motion, doing so where it’s pain-free and things like that. I’m learning about this one. I can tell you everything you want to know about ankles. But this is obviously a new one for me, so trying to make sure I stay cautious, but knowing that we’re moving in the right direction. So I don’t know how long it will be, but that’s all I can pretty much ask for.”
- Owner Joe Lacob denies that the decision to suspend Green and not Durant means the organization is taking sides in their dispute, relays Al Saracevic of The San Francisco Chronicle. “I’ve read and heard all the things people are talking about. That we’re choosing one person over another,” Lacob said. “We’re not choosing anybody over anybody.” He said the decision to discipline Green was “totally a management issue” and complimented GM Bob Myers and coach Steve Kerr on how they handled it.
- There’s still time to vote in our poll on Durant’s future beyond this season.
It would be great if they could stop sucking.
It would be great if if they win less than 50 games
Curry is so breakable… & now on the wrong side of 30, he might be even have worst health than CP3… that is bad, right?
Hard to see why Dray got suspended & KD not, seeing how KD started all the show with his shouting & bickering that he wanted the ball. Team wasn’t very fair, KD should have been suspended the same or more than KD, why they don’t explain the process that took them to suspend one & not the other. Would be quite interesting to have this insight.
Durant’s badness was more or less normal crap that players can work out. Green’s badness was unusual. . . existential in rejecting Durant’s membership. . . and prioritized offseason free agency over the threepeat. GSW’s business is titles.
Green says, it doesn’t matter, nobody can beat us. It’s fun to say that but once the ambition is actually achieved, that attitude unchecked becomes hubris, and has a history of disappointing results. Hubris is pride in the seven deadly sins sense.
He needs a reset. . . to put his feet up & contemplate that injured toe!
durrant were to give mngt a verbal commit to resign im sure green would be dealt . curry, kd, klay and supporting cast could continue their dominance