库里谈勇士跌出争冠行列：不再被视作争冠球队，坦然面对外界质疑

Ahead of his 18th NBA season, Stephen Curry has nothing left to prove. At 38, the Warriors legend has already cemented himself as one of the greatest players ever, with a resume that includes four championships, two MVPs, two scoring titles, and 12 All-Star appearances for one single franchise.

But now, over four years since the Warriors’ last title, things have changed drastically for Curry. Not only is he older now (and dealing with new injuries), but the team itself has experienced a major decline, to the point where nobody is talking about them as a serious contender. In a recent chat with the media, Curry addressed this new reality and how he’s approaching the new season.

“All the conversations internally are addressing the fact that we didn’t hit our goal last year,” said Curry, via Dubs Talk. “I know availability was a big part of it, but that’s also a challenge for this team too, as well as getting young guys incorporated, allowing them to take the next step, and figuring out what this team needs to be successful. So, you’re embracing all of it. It’s just funny, more entertaining of the external conversations and chatter about us because we want to be relevant, we want to be competitive, we all know that. And when we’re not, it’s loud. So, embrace it.”

Just a few years ago, it seemed like the Warriors were at the top of the basketball world. They were the envy of their rivals and a premium free agent destination for years. To go from that to where they are now could not have been an easy transition, and Steph is fully aware of how the perception of his team has changed. Even so, nobody is a harsher critic of the Warriors than they are of themselves, and they’ve been honest about their recent failures. While you could argue that a mix of injuries and inconsistent play spelled their undoing, the simplest explanation is that they just aren’t built for playoff success anymore.

Yet, despite his team’s precarious position, Steph is embracing the challenge of leading them to glory. After averaging 26.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game on 46.8% shooting from the field last season, he proved that he can still play up to his usual standards, and he will do everything he can to maximize their success this season.

Sadly, the odds are stacking increasingly against Curry. After striking out on all the premium free agents this summer, they had no choice but to run it back with their thin, aging roster. Plus, as Jimmy Butler remains sidelined, Kristaps Porzingis is dealing with an injury of his own that could compromise his availability on opening night. Once again, it seems Curry will have to shoulder an extra burden as he waits for key reinforcements.

In the meantime, the Warriors must embrace their current position as underdogs in the Western Conference. While they may not have the same firepower as the Thunder, Spurs, or Timberwolves, they have a determined star leading the way, along with years of experience winning at the highest levels.