The NBA has historically been a league defined by its dynasties, the dominant stretches of the Celtics, Lakers, Spurs, and Bulls are the connective tissue of basketball history. However, since the Golden State Warriors hoisted their back-to-back trophy in 2018 the league has entered a phase of unprecedented parity, with seven different champions in the last seven seasons.
That 2015-2022 run, led by the greatest shooter of all time, Stephen Curry, alongside his “Splash Bro” Klay Thompson, defensive anchor Draymond Green, and coach Steve Kerr, remains the gold standard. Fast forward to 2026, and the luster has faded slightly.
With Jimmy Butler sidelined for the season and Curry battling persistent injuries, the Warriors have been mired in mediocrity. Currently fighting for a Play-In spot, the franchise is once again holding its breath, waiting for their leader to return and save a season that feels dangerously close to slipping away.
Draymond Green’s NBA Mount Rushmore Verdict on Stephen Curry
While many debate where Stephen Curry sits in the pantheon of greats, his closest ally has already made up his mind. Speaking on the latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” the four-time champion made it clear that Curry has earned his spot on the NBA’s Mount Rushmore.
According to Green, the turning point wasn’t the unanimous MVP or the 73-win season; it was the 2022 championship run. “2022 is when I was like alright, this dude is different,” Green noted, emphasizing that reaching “top 4” status requires a specific kind of greatness that Curry solidified by leading the Warriors from the league’s worst record in 2020 to a title just three years later.
That 2022 campaign was indeed the crowning jewel. Curry silenced every critic by securing his first Finals MVP after a legendary 34-point performance in Game 6 against the Celtics. During that regular season, the veteran guard was the engine of a 53-29 team, averaging 25.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists.
Unfortunately, the “mercurial shooter” is currently far from that peak form as he deals with what the team has labeled as “runner’s knee.” After missing the last 10 contests, Curry is still not quite ready for full-speed action and is scheduled for another evaluation in 10 days to see if his recovery has progressed enough to rejoin the rotation.
Surviving the March Road Trip Without Stephen Curry
The timing of Curry’s knee setback couldn’t be worse for a Golden State squad desperate for consistency. The Warriors are about to embark on a grueling three-game road trip that will test the depth of their roster. The stretch begins in Houston against the Rockets this Thursday, March 5, followed by a high-octane clash with the OKC Thunder on Saturday, March 7.
The trip concludes with a battle against the Utah Jazz on Monday, March 9. The team has already confirmed that Curry will be sidelined for the entirety of this road swing, leaving the scoring burden on a supporting cast that has struggled to find its identity in 2026.
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