The Dagger: The Fragile Warriors

Can you believe it? Can you honestly believe it? 

Not even 72 hours after Draymond Green, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson return to the court together for the first time since the 2019 NBA Finals – which resulted in a 47-piece for birthday-boy Curry and a 126-112 victory over the Wizards – Curry injures his left foot against Boston the very next game and is ruled out for the remainder of the regular season. 

What? WHAT?! 

The basketball gods think they have a sense of humor, but that ain’t cool. Why so cruel? 

They reminded us of the greatness that is Green-Curry-Thompson: A combined +41 against and 73 points against the Wizards; the 2015 NBA Champs pre-KD. Yep, they did that. 

For one game – a sliver of a moment – the basketball gods gave us hope that after 1,005 days, the Warriors franchise trio would be reunited to do what they do so well: win games, wow spectators, contend for championships, be great. 

Sike! It was all a dream. 

And who is to blame for all of this? Yes, all blame is foolish, but Warriors head coach Steve Kerr turned the spotlight to Celtics guard Marcus Smart who lunged toward a loose ball and ended up landing on Curry’s foot. 

Again, foolishness. Smart, who has a bad wrap as a dirty player, did not make a dirty play. He was just being his usual, gritty self and playing hard like he always does. 

I keep watching the replay looking for malintent and nope. I don’t see it. 

The injury could’ve happened to anybody. 

Wait. No. Strike that. I could’ve only happened to the Warriors because they are fragile. The Warriors, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Jusuf Nurkic or any other injury prone NBA talent. 

I mean are we surprised? Truly? They are a gang of Greg Odens. Love’em and I adore Greg but that’s what they are. Can’t stay healthy long enough to play a whole season together anymore. 

I mean I would love to pick them to win it all – and I did –, but I cannot do so with conviction. Too much is contingent on health. 

Curry, Green and Thompson all have some nagging injury that is likely to appear at any moment. Add the ailing young star James Wiseman and what are really talking about here? I mean, really. The Warriors young, talented center’s return date was just delayed because of knee swelling. He’s been out for 11 months after a right meniscus tear during his rookie campaign. 

Just terrible. 

And what are the Warriors to do? Not make plays for loose balls? Avoid taking charges? Never contest shots? What can they do? 

Nothing. They are who they are. 

Maybe after five amazing years and three championships, the basketball gods needed to humble them. To Remind them luck is just as important as preparation. To teach them to never forget that it takes but a second for it all to be destroyed. 

Good lesson. I think they got it. 

Now, can we get back to basketball?