Although it wasn't long ago that the Golden State Warriors stood on top of the NBA mountaintop again, their dynasty has long been teetering on the verge of collapse. Whether it was the departure of Kevin Durant, the multiple severe injuries of Klay Thompson , or the controversial incident where Draymond Green delivered a sucker punch to teammate Jordan Poole, the Warriors have been facing a multitude of challenges in recent years. This incident, which led to a brief rift within the team, is just one of the many hurdles they've had to overcome.
However, the most significant blow came at the end of June, when Klay—one-half of arguably the league's greatest backcourt, the "Splash Brothers"—decided to leave Golden State to sign with the Dallas Mavericks. While it remains to be seen if the Dubs can recover from this development, one thing is certain: resident superstar Stephen Curry holds no ill will towards Klay and fully supports what he had to do.
A fresh start
In a report on The Athletic, Sam Amick revealed that Steph and Klay had a phone conversation the day before free agency began as the latter broke the news to his longtime friend and backcourt partner that he was leaving the Warriors.
While "The Chef" already had an inkling of what was to come due to the breakdown in the contract negotiations between Thompson and Golden State's front office, the conversation galvanized the reality of Klay's imminent departure.
As Curry listened to the former Washington Husky explain why he was leaving, Steph accepted that getting a fresh start was best for his "Splash Brother." After all, the 6-foot-7 sharpshooter was coming off a disjointed season where his early-season shooting struggles earned him a demotion to the bench. Although he would later on recover and get his starting spot back, reports indicated Klay would assume a sixth-man role next season if he returned.
"I didn't want him carrying any weight of (him thinking I believed) he was making a bad decision or a wrong decision, or whatever the case was, because it was his decision," Steph told Sam Amick.
"It's a matter of him feeling like he's doing what's in the best interest of him and getting a fresh start that he needed. I just pray it works out and that he, again, just has fun playing basketball because he'd had a rough two years," the "Baby-Faced Assassin" continued.
While averages of 17.9 points on 43% shooting, including 38% from long distance, may not be rough for some, it was for the five-time All-Star, who hasn't regained his old form since tearing his ACL and Achilles in consecutive years.
Related: "He dunked on Perk so fu****g hard we had to stop practice" - Kevin Garnett on how the move to the G League motivated Avery Bradley
No bitterness
Steph and Klay have played together for 13 seasons, helping to build the Warriors' dynasty with one three-pointer after another. Along with power forward Green, the Dubs' "Big 3" have been the driving force behind the team's championship highs and the resilience they've shown during lows. Their on-court chemistry and individual contributions have forged an unbreakable bond, making Curry happy for Thompson, even if they will walk on different paths next season.
"There's no bitterness. There's no ill will or anything. I just want him to be happy and have a good time playing basketball like he deserves," Curry shared.
Although the "Splash Brothers" are no more, the legacy they've built in the Bay Area will never be forgotten. They have left an unforgettable mark on the NBA, from their record-breaking three-pointers to their on-court chemistry.
Related: "It's something that I never imagined would be a reality" - Curry opens up about losing Klay to the Mavericks
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