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Stephen Curry understands why some observers believe the Golden State Warriors have not done enough to surround him with the talent needed for another NBA title run. He simply does not devote much energy to that line of thinking.
As he prepares for his 18th NBA season, the four-time champion finds himself in an unusual position. The Warriors are no longer viewed as a legitimate championship threat, and questions about the franchise's direction have grown louder following another disappointing campaign.
Curry, however, is not interested in pointing fingers.
Speaking with NBC Sports Bay Area's Bonta Hill at Warriors training camp in Hawaii, Curry recognized the team's missed chances while also pushing back on the claim that recent struggles can be pinned entirely on front-office moves.
Curry Gets Candid About Front Office Criticism
When asked directly about criticism that Golden State's ownership and front office have not maximized his remaining championship window, Curry offered a balanced response. He neither fully defended management nor condemned its decisions.
"I'm not an idiot," Curry said. "I know what it means in the sense of, you know, that window we had where coming off of 22, there were opportunities to get better, add new talent, and some worked out, some didn't."
That admission carried weight. Since capturing their fourth title in eight seasons in 2022, the Warriors have been unable to regain the consistency that once made them the NBA's most feared team.
Golden State finished last season with a 37-45 record, missing the playoffs after injuries disrupted its campaign. Curry, now 38, appeared in only 43 games due to knee problems. Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody also dealt with significant injuries, forcing the Warriors to scramble just to stay competitive.
The franchise's relatively quiet offseason has done little to quiet the critics. As the San Francisco Chronicle reported, owner Joe Lacob remains committed to building a competitive team around Curry while preserving flexibility for future moves.
For Curry, the final verdict on Golden State's decisions is still pending. "The jury is still out on how we end this entire journey," he said.
Curry's Message for Dubs Doubters
Curry also addressed the growing skepticism about Golden State's ability to return to contention. He acknowledged that the Warriors are unlikely to be among the championship favorites, especially with several Western Conference rivals featuring deeper and younger rosters.
Even so, Curry believes injuries have masked what the team might have achieved. "Availability was the biggest theme," Curry said, referencing his extended absence last season and the injuries that derailed previous playoff runs.
That perspective explains why Curry is not ready to dismiss Golden State's championship hopes. The Warriors have used training camp to emphasize continuity, integrate younger players, and find ways to get more production from a veteran-heavy roster.
Coach Steve Kerr faces the challenge of keeping Curry healthy while developing enough reliable contributors to handle the demands of an 82-game season.
Curry, for his part, is embracing the lowered expectations. "When we're not [competitive], it's loud. So embrace it," he said of the outside criticism.
His priorities remain unchanged. "I've had a really amazing career and journey. Want to win," Curry said. "All the other chatter doesn't necessarily matter to me in terms of how I grade our seasons."
The Warriors may no longer command the respect they once did, and Curry is well aware of that. But he is not about to let external expectations dictate how this chapter of his career ends.
Originally reported by yahoo.