Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors have become one of the most iconic partnerships in the history of basketball. Since being drafted by the Warriors in 2009, Curry has led the team to multiple championships, revolutionized the game with his unparalleled shooting, and helped transform a struggling franchise into a global powerhouse. His journey with the Warriors is not just about winning titles—it’s a story of perseverance, evolution, and a basketball revolution.
The Early Days: A Star is Born
When Stephen Curry was selected as the 7th overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 2009 NBA Draft, expectations were high, but uncertainty loomed. Coming from a smaller program at Davidson College, Curry was viewed as an extraordinary shooter, but concerns about his size, durability, and ability to compete at the NBA level persisted. At the time, the Warriors were far from the powerhouse they are today, and Curry was expected to be part of a rebuilding project for a franchise that hadn’t won an NBA championship since 1975.
In Curry’s rookie season, the Warriors showed flashes of promise but were still a work in progress. He finished second in Rookie of the Year voting, but the team ended the season with a subpar record. However, Curry’s unique shooting ability and court vision began to make people notice. Over the next few seasons, Curry battled recurring ankle injuries, which kept him off the court for stretches of time and raised questions about his durability.
The Turning Point: Curry’s Breakout and the Rise of the Warriors
Everything changed in the 2012-2013 season, which is widely considered the turning point of both Curry’s career and the Golden State Warriors’ fortunes. That season, Curry set an NBA record by hitting 272 three-pointers, showcasing his shooting prowess and redefining how the game could be played. Under head coach Mark Jackson, the Warriors began to develop into a playoff contender, making it to the second round of the postseason.
This was just the beginning. In 2014, the Warriors hired Steve Kerr as their head coach, and his offensive system, which emphasized pace, ball movement, and spacing, perfectly complemented Curry’s skill set. Kerr unleashed Curry’s full potential, allowing him to thrive as both a scorer and a playmaker. Alongside “Splash Brother” Klay Thompson, defensive stalwart Draymond Green, and a deep bench, the Warriors became a juggernaut.
The Three-Point Revolution
Stephen Curry’s greatest contribution to the game of basketball is his role in revolutionizing the use of the three-point shot. Before Curry, the three-pointer was an important part of the game but was typically seen as an auxiliary scoring option. Curry made it a primary weapon. His ability to hit shots from well beyond the arc at a high efficiency rate fundamentally changed how defenses were structured and how offenses were run.
Curry’s long-range shooting extended the floor and forced defenses to guard him as soon as he crossed half-court, which created more opportunities for his teammates. His range, accuracy, and quick release made him the most feared shooter in the history of the game. By the 2015-2016 season, Curry was attempting—and making—more three-pointers than entire teams did just a decade earlier.
The Warriors’ offense, built around Curry’s shooting and ability to create space, became a model for the rest of the NBA. Teams began emphasizing the importance of outside shooting, shifting away from the traditional post-dominant playstyles that had dominated the NBA for decades. Curry’s shooting ushered in a new era of basketball, one that placed a premium on perimeter scoring and versatility.
Championships and MVPs: The Making of a Dynasty
Stephen Curry’s breakout culminated in 2015, when the Warriors won their first NBA championship in 40 years. That season, Curry was named the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) after leading the Warriors to a league-best 67-15 record. The Warriors’ blend of fast-paced offense, sharp shooting, and relentless defense overwhelmed their opponents, and Curry’s ability to take over games from beyond the arc made them nearly unstoppable.
The following season, Curry took his game to historic levels. In 2015-2016, he became the first player in NBA history to be unanimously named MVP, leading the Warriors to an NBA-record 73-9 regular-season record. He broke his own record for three-pointers in a season, finishing with 402, and solidified himself as the best shooter in NBA history.
Though the Warriors fell short in the 2016 NBA Finals, their dynasty was far from over. In 2017, the team signed former MVP Kevin Durant, forming a superteam that dominated the league for the next two seasons. With Curry and Durant leading the way, the Warriors won back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018, with Curry playing an instrumental role in both title runs. His unselfishness and willingness to share the spotlight with Durant highlighted Curry’s team-first mentality and cemented his legacy as a leader.
Setbacks and Resilience
Curry’s career has not been without challenges. Following their championship triumphs, the Warriors faced a series of setbacks. In the 2019 NBA Finals, injuries to key players, including Durant and Klay Thompson, derailed their hopes for a third consecutive title. The next season was even more difficult—Thompson missed the entire year due to injury, and Curry himself played only five games due to a broken hand. The Warriors, stripped of their stars, finished with one of the worst records in the league.
Despite these challenges, Curry returned in the 2020-2021 season with renewed vigor, reminding the basketball world of his greatness. That season, he led the league in scoring with 32 points per game, carrying an injury-depleted Warriors team back to playoff contention. His resilience and ability to perform at an elite level even when the odds were stacked against him solidified his status as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
The 2022 Championship: Curry’s Legacy Sealed
In the 2021-2022 season, Stephen Curry and the Warriors returned to championship form. After two injury-plagued seasons, the Warriors retooled their roster, and with Curry leading the charge, they once again became a formidable force in the Western Conference. The Warriors marched through the playoffs, ultimately defeating the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals to secure Curry’s fourth championship.
For the first time in his career, Curry was named NBA Finals MVP, a long-awaited accolade that further cemented his legacy. His performances throughout the Finals were a reminder of his clutch ability and leadership, and the 2022 championship became a defining moment in Curry’s illustrious career. At this point, any doubt about Curry’s place among the all-time greats had been erased.
Impact on the Golden State Warriors Franchise
Curry’s impact on the Golden State Warriors transcends the court. Before Curry’s arrival, the Warriors were not a perennial contender. They were a middling franchise with a small but loyal fan base, often overshadowed by other teams in the competitive Western Conference. Curry changed all that. He turned the Warriors into one of the most successful and marketable franchises in sports, attracting a global fanbase and elevating the team’s stature.
The construction of the Chase Center, the Warriors’ state-of-the-art arena in San Francisco, is a direct result of the team’s newfound success, driven largely by Curry’s influence. Off the court, Curry’s humility, work ethic, and leadership have created a culture of excellence that permeates the Warriors organization. His selfless approach to the game has fostered a team-oriented atmosphere, making Golden State a desirable destination for players and staff alike.
Curry’s Lasting Legacy
As Stephen Curry continues to add to his storied career, his legacy is already secured. He is the greatest shooter in NBA history, a four-time champion, a two-time MVP, and a cultural icon. Beyond the accolades, Curry’s true legacy lies in how he transformed the way basketball is played. His impact is evident in the way young players shoot, the way teams design their offenses, and how the entire sport has evolved to emphasize skill, shooting, and versatility.
For the Golden State Warriors, Curry will always be remembered as the player who took the franchise from mediocrity to greatness. His jersey will one day hang in the rafters, his statue will stand outside the Chase Center, and his legacy will live on in the DNA of the team.
Conclusion
Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors are intertwined in a basketball story that will be remembered for generations. From his early days as an undersized, injury-prone rookie to becoming the face of a basketball revolution, Curry’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. He has changed the game, built a dynasty, and left an indelible mark on the Warriors franchise and the NBA as a whole. As Curry continues to shine, his legacy with Golden State only grows stronger.
