Since their disappointing departure during the 2023-24 NBA season, much has been said about the trio of Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant nearing the end of their NBA dominance.
Although none of the three superstars made it to the second round of the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2005, the NBA Universe is already setting sail, welcoming a new generation of young future stars. But for ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, one of the three future Hall of Famers may not be written about yet. I believe he has the best chance of winning the NBA title than any other player.
“I say Stephen Curry, and I'll tell you why,” Smith prefaced Wednesday morning's “First Take.” “I don't think LeBron is going to leave L.A., and to be honest, I don't believe the Lakers can get the pieces they need to get over the hump. KD, religiously attached to wherever he lands” We don't know if he'll make it out of Phoenix, we don't know where he'll land, due in part to his eternal unhappiness.
“What I want to talk about with Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors is that if Draymond Green doesn't get suspended for those 20 games, they'll not only be in the play-ins, they'll be in the playoffs. Don't forget, they had the third-best record in the game of basketball when Draymond Green returned from suspension. they have. [Jonathan] Kuminga and how he appeared.look [Brandin] Podzemski is on the All-Rookie team. You know what Steph is capable of. Clay had a down year. This is the definition of a down year for Klay Thompson. He scored 18 points per game on 43 percent shooting and 38.7 percent from 3-point range. It’s been a down year!
“From a skill standpoint, they have the pieces. Unless Draymond gets suspended. [the Warriors] With another big body, the Golden State Warriors could do some things. ”
Curry was the only player of the three whose team did not make the playoffs after Golden State was eliminated by the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
However, as Smith attested, things started to fall into place for the Warriors when Green returned to the court, and they began to gain momentum at the right time. Unfortunately, it was too late and they were now at a disadvantage in a win-or-go-home game.
Meanwhile, Durant, in his first full season with the Phoenix Suns and first alongside the failed trio of Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, was swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs — and Questions and concerns now loom. his future.
James' season lasted the longest, but it wasn't that long.
The reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets once again ended the Lakers' season with a five-game first round series.
The futures of all three basketball icons will be talked about all summer long, but while many are ready to end a chapter of nearly two decades of NBA supremacy, Smith still has a lot to do with Curry. I'm not ready to turn the page on the Warriors.
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