"Still the greatest shooter on the planet" - Stephen A. Smith questions Warriors' inability to bolster roster around Steph Curry
Stephen A. Smith is surprised by the Golden State Warriors' inability to surround Steph Curry with superstars. The Warriors lost Klay Thompson in free agency in July and failed to acquire Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz this month. The team did an admirable job of bolstering the roster, but it might not be enough to help Curry win his fifth championship.
On a recent episode of ESPN's "First Take," the crew discussed Curry's one-year extension with the Warriors that will put any doubts about his future to rest. However, Smith questioned the front office regarding building a championship-contending team around the 36-year-old superstar.
"I'm still looking at the organization as a whole, specifically Steve Kerr and I'm saying, 'How come we can't get this brother any additional help?' We're talking about a Steph Curry that still looks like he's in his prime. Still the greatest shooter on the planet, still good for 25 a game, still good for 40-percent shooting-plus from 3-point range. Why the hell can we not get him (help)?" Smith said. [H/T NBC Sports Bay Area]
The sports analyst added:
"One of the nicest guys on the planet. Teammates love him. Organizations revereihim. The city and area have deified him. Why in the hell can you not get somebody worth noting to come play with this brother? You would think people would clamor to do so. I don't know if that has been the case."
Steph Curry is coming off a season wherein he averaged 26.4 points per game and shot 40.8% from beyond the arc. Curry did all he could to carry the Golden State Warriors all season long only for them to miss the playoffs after getting trampled by the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Play-In Tournament as the 10th seed.
Steph Curry signs one-year extension with the Warriors
Following Team USA's success at the 2024 Paris Olympics, many began questioning if Steph Curry would want to play with LeBron James at the LA Lakers before his career ended. Curry still had two years left on his contract with the Golden State Warriors but some thought he might want out.
However, the Warriors guard ended the speculations by signing a one-year, $62.6 million extension earlier this week. He will remain in the Bay Area until the 2026-27 season when he will be 39 years old.
Golden State remains hopeful they have enough talent to challenge for a championship. They might have lost Klay Thompson in free agency, but they got some pretty solid role players such as Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield and De'Anthony Melton.
The Warriors will also have an improved young quartet of Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Trayce Jackson-Davis. Old reliable names such as Draymond Green, Kevon Looney and Andrew Wiggins are still there although it won't be surprising if Wiggins gets traded.