“Hopefully Things Align”: The Warriors Still Believe They Can Regain Their Championship Ways
As the Golden State Warriors head into the second half of the 2024-2025 NBA season, there’s a prevailing sentiment within the organization: the belief that the team can return to its championship-caliber form. Despite an up-and-down start to the year, and several obstacles that have made the road back to the top of the Western Conference more difficult than expected, the Warriors are still confident in their ability to regain their championship swagger. With familiar faces like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green leading the charge, the Warriors are a team that is never far from championship contention—especially when they believe their pieces will align at the right time.
A string of setbacks, injuries, and some early-season inconsistency has made this season different from the Warriors’ usual dominant campaigns. Yet, despite these challenges, the Warriors’ core players are firm believers that they have the talent, chemistry, and leadership to get back to their championship level. The team is hoping that as the season progresses, things will come together, both individually and collectively, for another shot at glory. But for now, they are focusing on staying positive, refining their game, and staying within striking distance of the top playoff spots in the Western Conference.
The Warriors’ Early Struggles: A Season of Adjustments
The 2024-2025 season began with high hopes for the Warriors, who were aiming to build off their 2024 Western Conference Finals appearance. However, like many teams, they faced their own set of challenges. The first hurdle was injuries, particularly to key players. Stephen Curry missed several games early in the season with a nagging ankle injury, and while he is widely regarded as the face of the franchise, his absence was deeply felt in the Warriors’ offensive schemes.
Klay Thompson, too, has not yet fully recaptured the form that made him one of the best shooters in the NBA. While Thompson has had occasional flashes of brilliance, especially from beyond the arc, consistency has been an issue. His shot selection and decision-making at times have raised questions, but the Warriors remain hopeful that he will return to his All-Star level once his rhythm is fully restored. Despite being in the league for over a decade, Thompson’s struggle to regain his previous explosiveness, especially defensively, has been an ongoing challenge. Nonetheless, his work ethic and commitment to the team’s success have never been questioned.
Meanwhile, Draymond Green, who has been the heart and soul of the Warriors’ defense for years, has continued to play his all-around game. However, his performance has been a bit up-and-down offensively, and his defensive intensity has occasionally fluctuated. Green remains one of the most important players on the roster, both as a playmaker and defensive anchor, but he has been involved in some controversial moments and a few rough stretches that have sparked some external doubts about his place in the team’s future. Still, Green is one of the few players in the league capable of changing the outcome of a game in multiple ways, so the Warriors continue to rely on him.
Beyond the Big Three, the team has had to rely on younger players to step up and fill the gaps. Jordan Poole has shown flashes of potential as the team’s second or third option, but his consistency remains a work in progress. The development of Jonathan Kuminga has been closely watched as well, with the Warriors hoping that the young forward can develop into a two-way force who can provide a more consistent impact, especially defensively. The presence of these emerging talents has been both a blessing and a challenge, as the team balances veteran leadership with the growing pains of their younger players.
Overall, it’s been a season of adjustments for Golden State. They’ve had their highs—blowing out several contenders with explosive performances—but they’ve also had their lows, struggling against teams they once dominated. Still, head coach Steve Kerr and the organization are confident that as the season goes on, they will find their rhythm and return to the form that made them one of the most feared teams of the last decade.
Curry’s Relentless Drive: The Engine of the Warriors
Even though Curry has dealt with injuries, his leadership has been unquestionable. When healthy, he remains one of the most dangerous players on the planet, a constant threat from beyond the arc and in the pick-and-roll offense. Curry’s basketball IQ, work ethic, and clutch performances are why he’s still regarded as one of the best players in the league, and his confidence is contagious to his teammates.
The Warriors’ identity still largely revolves around Curry’s ability to create shots from anywhere on the court. The presence of Andrew Wiggins, who has turned into a reliable defender and secondary scorer, is important to the team’s success, but no one has the kind of individual impact Curry does. The Warriors are well aware that to win a championship, Curry must be at his best. And while there have been stretches this season where Curry hasn’t been 100%, his return to form after a string of injuries is anticipated with optimism.
Curry’s mindset going into the 2025 season has been one of resilience and adaptability. He’s not only focused on his own game but also on getting his teammates involved. As the team’s leader, Curry is constantly working to elevate those around him, using his magnetic personality to keep the Warriors’ spirits high, even in the face of adversity. He remains confident that the Warriors’ championship pedigree is intact and that they still have what it takes to contend, no matter the obstacles.
“Hopefully things align,” Curry said after a recent game, encapsulating the mindset of the team. “We know the potential is there. It’s just about getting into a rhythm, playing together, and peaking at the right time.”
Curry’s belief in this team’s ability to turn it around is palpable. He understands that the window for another championship is closing, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to help his teammates get there. As the Warriors’ floor general, Curry’s ability to stay healthy, lead by example, and deliver in clutch moments will be paramount in determining whether they can return to the top.
The Importance of Thompson and Green: Defensive Grit and Offensive Firepower
For the Warriors to regain their championship form, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green must return to their elite levels of play. Thompson, especially, needs to become the consistent offensive threat he was in the past, both as a shooter and as a defender. When Thompson is locked in, he gives the Warriors an extra dimension—his ability to spread the floor and knock down open shots forces opposing defenses to collapse, creating more space for Curry and others to attack.
Thompson has been working diligently to regain his shooting stroke, spending countless hours in the gym and working with the coaching staff. Despite the challenges he’s faced, Thompson remains optimistic and is adamant that his best basketball is ahead of him. He has seen his body and game evolve over the years, and while it hasn’t been an easy journey, Thompson’s desire to contribute at the highest level remains unwavering.
For Green, the challenge is about balancing his intensity and leadership on the defensive end with the offensive playmaking needed to keep the team in sync. Green has always been the emotional leader for the Warriors, and his defense has often been the catalyst for their success. However, the Warriors will need more from him on offense, whether it’s finding the open man or taking advantage of mismatches in the post. Green’s ability to stay engaged and avoid distractions is crucial to the Warriors’ ability to reclaim their championship ways.
While both players have shown flashes of their former selves this season, their full return to form will go a long way in determining whether the Warriors can be serious championship contenders in 2025.
Team Depth: The X-Factor for the Warriors’ Success
The Warriors’ strength has always been their depth, and this season, they are still trying to find a balance in their rotation. With key players like Kevon Looney, Moses Moody, and Jonathan Kuminga coming off the bench, the Warriors have a solid foundation of depth, though consistency from these role players has been a point of focus.
Looney has remained a steady presence in the middle, providing the team with valuable rebounding and a reliable interior defender. His ability to guard multiple positions and act as a rim protector has been crucial, particularly against bigger teams in the West. Poole, who has been inconsistent at times, still has the potential to explode offensively and provide a secondary scoring option, and his development will be crucial in making the Warriors a more balanced team.
Kuminga is another wild card for Golden State. The young forward has flashed incredible athleticism and defensive potential, but his consistency on both ends of the floor remains a work in progress. If he can develop into a reliable contributor, the Warriors’ depth will become even more formidable, providing Curry, Thompson, and Green with more weapons to work with.
The Road Ahead: Can the Warriors Return to Their Championship Ways?
As the second half of the 2024-2025 season unfolds, the Warriors’ path to the championship will not be easy. The competition in the Western Conference is fierce, with teams like the Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, and Los Angeles Lakers all vying for dominance. But as Curry so eloquently put it, the Warriors are simply hoping that things will align.
The team’s championship DNA is still there, and the belief within the organization remains strong. As long as Curry is leading the charge, Thompson is finding his rhythm, and Green continues to anchor the defense, the Warriors will have a chance. The final stretch of the season will test the team’s resilience, but if they can stay healthy and build momentum, there’s no reason they can’t be in the conversation for a sixth championship.
For the Warriors, it’s all about trusting the process, staying the course, and hoping that the pieces will finally come together at the right time. In the words of Steve Kerr, “This is a team that knows what it takes to win championships, and we are still capable of getting back there. It’s just a matter of staying patient and putting everything together.”
With their proven track record, the Warriors remain a dangerous force in the league, and if their key players can find their rhythm, there’s no telling how far this team can go. The belief is strong, and the championship window is still wide open—provided the Warriors can make the necessary adjustments and stay focused on what they do best.
