Stephen Curry is Sad: The Warriors’ Struggles and the Toll on the Superstar

There’s a certain sadness that comes when greatness is outshined by the relentless march of time. Stephen Curry, once the unshakable leader of the Golden State Warriors, is now witnessing the slow unraveling of the team that was built around him. In a franchise that once stood as the model of sustained success, the Warriors now find themselves at a crossroads, their championship-contending days fading further into the rearview mirror. It’s not just a poor season or a rough patch—it’s the realization that the window may be closing faster than anyone anticipated.

For Curry, who has led the Warriors to four NBA championships and revolutionized the game of basketball with his unparalleled shooting ability, this current state of affairs feels like an affront to everything he and his team worked to build. The Warriors, who dominated the NBA landscape for nearly a decade, have now become a shadow of their former selves. As the losses pile up and the season slips away, the sadness in Curry’s demeanor is evident. It’s not just disappointment over missed championships, but the realization that, despite his legendary status, even he can’t do it all alone.

The Golden State Warriors’ Decline

From 2015 to 2019, the Golden State Warriors were the NBA’s gold standard. Under coach Steve Kerr, they blended offensive brilliance with a smothering defense, and the team was a marvel to watch. With Curry leading the charge, they won three championships in five years and established themselves as a dynasty. Alongside Curry were Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, the three pillars that embodied the heart and soul of the Warriors. Their bond on and off the court was something special, built on years of success and mutual respect.

But like all dynasties, the Warriors’ success has a shelf life. Injuries began to take their toll. Thompson, the other half of the greatest shooting backcourt in NBA history, tore his ACL in 2019 and ruptured his Achilles in 2020. Green, though still a defensive force and playmaker, has seen his best years slip by. And while Curry himself has remained remarkably resilient, the burden on his shoulders has grown heavier with each passing season.

When the Warriors traded for Andrew Wiggins in 2020 and drafted James Wiseman, there was hope that a new wave of talent would help prop up the aging core. However, the team has yet to find a consistent third star to complement Curry, Thompson, and Green. And with the draft picks they’ve made over the past few years—like Wiseman, Moses Moody, and Jonathan Kuminga—still showing inconsistent growth, the future feels more uncertain than ever.

The 2023-2024 season was supposed to be one where the Warriors could push for another title. The addition of Chris Paul, a veteran point guard who could provide leadership and stability, seemed like a smart move. Yet, despite Curry’s continued excellence, the Warriors have struggled to keep up with the evolving NBA. Their defense has faltered, their shooting isn’t as lethal as it once was, and their role players have failed to consistently step up. Most concerning, though, is that the championship mentality that defined the Warriors for so many years seems to be missing.

Curry’s Emotional Journey

Stephen Curry has been the face of the Warriors for over a decade, and his success has transcended the sport. He’s not just a basketball player—he’s a global icon. He’s the reason casual fans tune in, the reason young kids pick up basketballs in their backyards. Yet, even superstars like Curry are not immune to the effects of age and the natural decline of a team.

Watching Curry play now is bittersweet. While his shooting continues to be as deadly as ever, he no longer has the luxury of running around screens and launching uncontested threes. Opponents know that if they shut down Curry, they have a good shot at beating the Warriors. His ability to carry a team on his back has been incredible throughout his career, but as the Warriors’ supporting cast continues to underperform, that weight has become increasingly harder to bear.

In the early years of his career, Curry had a youthful exuberance—there was a joy and freedom to his game that was infectious. His off-the-dribble threes, his playful celebrations, his ability to sink absurd shots from anywhere on the floor, all made him the face of the NBA’s next generation. Now, that joy seems a little more muted, replaced by the visible frustration of a player who knows that, even with all his talent, his team is failing to keep up with the league’s best.

For Curry, this isn’t just about losing games—it’s about losing a piece of himself. He is the ultimate competitor. The hunger for championships hasn’t waned, even as the odds become steeper. He’s played through injuries, battled through adversity, and carried this team on his shoulders for years. But at a certain point, that burden becomes too much to bear. Watching Curry interact with his teammates now is telling—there’s a mix of encouragement and frustration, a man trying to lift up his team while also grappling with the reality that not all of them are ready for the fight.

The Toll on Curry’s Legacy

Curry’s legacy is already secure. He’s a two-time MVP, a four-time NBA champion, and arguably the greatest shooter to ever play the game. But as his career progresses, the narrative surrounding him could shift from one of unqualified greatness to one of “what could have been” if only the Warriors had managed to maintain their dominance.

There are those who argue that Curry’s individual brilliance will never be enough to compensate for the Warriors’ overall decline. He’s been surrounded by diminishing talent, and the franchise’s inability to assemble a sustainable supporting cast could tarnish Curry’s legacy. The idea of a superstar who never fully maximized his team’s potential could hurt his place in NBA history.

Yet, even in the face of these challenges, Curry’s character remains undeniable. He has handled the pressure with grace, constantly praising his teammates and never shying away from his own responsibility in the team’s struggles. His work ethic, his humility, and his leadership continue to shine through—even as the wins become harder to come by.

But the question lingers: how much longer can Curry maintain this level of excellence? He’s already well into his 30s, and the NBA’s physical demands aren’t getting any easier. While he’s shown no signs of slowing down just yet, time is an unrelenting force. The sadness on Curry’s face isn’t just about his current team’s failure—it’s about the looming uncertainty of his career. Will he have another shot at an NBA title? Can the Warriors rise again, or is this the beginning of the end?

The Warriors’ Future: What Comes Next?

The Warriors are at a crossroads. The current roster is a patchwork of aging veterans and inconsistent young players. Curry, Thompson, and Green aren’t getting any younger, and there’s a strong possibility that one or more of them will need to be traded or replaced in the coming seasons. The salary cap is another obstacle, with the Warriors heavily invested in a handful of players who aren’t living up to expectations. Adding to the pressure is the looming uncertainty of the NBA’s future landscape. With teams like the Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks setting new standards for both talent and depth, the Warriors are fighting an uphill battle.

But there’s hope. While the Warriors’ dynasty appears to be fading, they have a rich history of making the right moves at the right time. They’ve built a strong player development program, and while they haven’t hit on every draft pick, there are still glimmers of promise in players like Kuminga and Moses Moody. The key for the Warriors, and for Curry, will be whether they can find a way to pivot, retool, and remain competitive in an ever-evolving league.

The Warriors may no longer be the juggernaut they once were, but as long as Curry is in the fold, they’ll never be counted out. However, it’s clear that the team’s trajectory will hinge on whether they can find a way to surround their superstar with the pieces needed to compete at the highest level.