From Playoff Hopefuls to Title Contenders
By Greg Chin
Mar 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard
Stephen Curry(30) reacts after making a basket against the New York Knicks in the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
2009: Drafting Stephen Curry
In the 2009 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors had the seventh pick of the draft. The Warriors were coming off a 29-win season, just a year after missing the playoffs despite winning 48 games. Star guard Monta Ellis was injured that season, and the fact that Andris Biedrins led the Warriors in win shares speaks volumes to how poor that team was.
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The Warriors were rumoured to be interested in Davidson College point guard Stephen Curry. Curry was Davidson College’s all-time leading scorer and was considered by many to be a top pick in the draft. However, concerns surrounding his lack of size and whether he could thrive as a point guard in the NBA prevented him from being a top three pick.
Still, the Warriors were interested, and had to decide if they wanted to draft another ball-dominant guard despite already having Ellis on their roster. They decided it was worth the risk, and in retrospect, they weren’t wrong.
Curry has emerged as one of the best point guards in the NBA and is having an MVP-worthy season. It wasn’t always easy-sailing with Curry and the Warriors in the beginning, especially when he dealt with ankle injuries, but the Warriors’ faith in Curry has been repaid in spades.
The Warriors would not be where they are now without Curry.
Next: Hiring Mark Jackson