Stephen A. Smith predicts doom for Golden State Warriors after Steph Curry's injury: "I don't think they can, to be quite honest with you"
The Golden State Warriors have been dealt another tough blow as Steph Curry exited the game against the Indiana Pacers with a shoulder injury. With Curry on the sidelines, NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith does not think the Warriors can stay relevant.
Late in the third quarter, Curry hurt his shoulder and immediately went into the locker room. He missed their next game against the Philadelphia 76ers, which ended in another loss.
The Warriors have started their 2022-23 campaign slowly, and many anticipate that things might get worse. They are ranked 11th in the Western Conference standings, six wins behind the No.1 placed Memphis Grizzlies.
On ESPN's "First Take," Smith was asked if the Warriors could stay relevant with Curry. He replied:
"I don't think they can, to be quite honest with you. I don't mean to sound that way but I don't think they can when we see what we've seen thus far this season. ... Steph Curry is head and shoulders the star of this team, and his level of play far exceeds that of any of his teammates.
He added:
"To answer the question directly. ... If Klay Thompson comes in the lineup while Steph Curry is out, assuming it's for the foreseeable future, then Klay Thompson has to elevate or continue to elevate his level of play. ... He's gonna really have to up his level of play and take his game to another level whenever he's back in order to offset the absence of Steph Curry."
After highlighting that Jordan Poole needs to rise to the occasion after getting a lucrative contract, he concluded:
"I would say the focus would shift to Klay Thompson, and what he's capable of doing. And to a lesser degree, Jordan Poole, and what he's capable of doing. That's the only thing that has a prayer of offsetting the absence of Steph Curry, and I don't think that's gonna even be good enough."
"I don't think they can [stay relevant without Steph Curry]... The focus would shift to Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole... I don't think that's gonna even be good enough."
🗣️ @stephenasmith
The Warriors are 24-66 without Steph since the 2019-20 season.
https://t.co/XHomaIc0Jv
Since the 2019-20 season, the Warriors have a 24-66 record without Curry. So far this season, the Warriors are 0-4 without the reigning NBA Finals MVP.
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Can the Warriors win another championship without Steph Curry?
The Warriors have been carried by Curry this season. Many could argue that they would have a worse record if not for the exploits of the three-point shooting maestro.
Bench production has been a problem for the Warriors even with Curry in the lineup. Without him leading the charge, it will be an arduous task for the Warriors to stay competitive in a balanced/stacked league.
There is still a lot of basketball to be played before the end of the regular season. Nonetheless, the Warriors are a different animal to face during the postseason.In their last six playoff appearances, they have reached the NBA Finals six times and hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy on four occasions.
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