Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Monday, September 23th.
In today’s Dub Hub:
- In an interview on the GoJo and Golic Show, NBA superstar LeBron James recalled Steph Curry’s “unbelievable” performance during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- De’Aaron Fox explains why he signed with Curry Brand for his new signature shoe.
- Former Hawks first rounder, A.J. Griffin, decides to “step away” from basketball, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
The Golden State Warriors have had a whirlwind of an offseason. From Klay Thompson’s departure to the Dallas Mavericks, to the addition of key free agents, as well as the persistent trade rumors, the team has seen its fair share of drama. Yet, nothing quite captured the spotlight like Steph Curry’s remarkable run during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Though Curry got off to a slow start, he delivered when it mattered most. In the semifinals against Serbia, he saved the team from the brink of elimination by scoring 36 points to help them secure the victory. In the gold medal game against the host nation France, he put on a show for the ages, raining down a barrage of three-pointers—each more spectacular than the last—to close the game.
Curry led Team USA to Olympic glory, cementing his legacy on the world stage. His dominance in Paris gave fans across the country a rare glimpse of what it’s like to have the Warriors’ superstar lead their team. Even NBA legend LeBron James couldn’t help but marvel at Curry’s performance, calling it “unbelievable” during an appearance on the GoJo and Golic Show.
“Steph did what Steph does, hitting those big-time shots and putting everybody to sleep,” James said. “It was an unbelievable moment, and I was happy to be alongside him.”
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Monday, September 23th:
Warriors News:
LeBron James on Steph Curry’s Olympic run: “It was an unbelievable moment”
What was it like for @KingJames to watch Steph Curry in his first Olympics?
“Steph did what Steph does, hitting those big-time shots & putting everybody to sleep. It was an unbelievable moment, and I was happy to be alongside of him.” pic.twitter.com/6WZnKZPnlg
— GoJo and Golic (@GoJoandGolic) September 20, 2024
NBA insider believes Giannis-to-Warriors trade ‘worth monitoring’ | NBC Sports Bay Area
In speaking on Audacy’s “The TK Show” podcast, The Athletic’s Sam Amick stated the possibility of Golden State trading for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is “worth monitoring.”
“One that I think is just always gonna be monitored around the NBA is if the wheels fall off the Bucks,” Amick told Tim Kawakami. “We know that Joe Lacob has had dreams of Giannis coming the Warriors’ way for a very long time. Again, unlikely, but Khris Middleton is gonna be a free agent next summer… I think Giannis is worth monitoring.” (h/t Warriors Wire)
Embiid joins Curry, other NBA stars in $500M earnings club | NBC Sports Bay Area
Joel Embiid signed a three-year, $192.9 million maximum contract extension on Friday, keeping the center with the Philadelphia 76ers through the 2028-29 NBA season and elevating his career earnings to $515 million.
The 30-year-old center joins LeBron James ($584 million), Steph Curry ($532 million), Paul George ($519 million), and Kevin Durant ($508 million) as the fifth member of the exclusive list.
De’Aaron Fox explains why he chose to sign with Curry Brand
De’Aaron Fox on why he chose Curry Brand
“I started wearing his shoes like mid to late December… My foot was hurting at the time so I started wearing those and it went away and I played in them rest of season. I told him I loved the shoe,it had nothin to do with nothing else” pic.twitter.com/WNhcxsgZ6M
— DeMarvelous Fox & Ox (@SecurinDaBagley) September 20, 2024
Steph Curry spotted at the Carolina Panthers game on Sunday
Steph Curry watching his Panthers pic.twitter.com/GHBCTRmeoG
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) September 22, 2024
NBA News:
A.J. Griffin, 2022 first-round pick, to step away from basketball, be waived by Rockets: Source | The Athletic
Earlier this month, The Athletic reported on Griffin seriously considering retirement, citing undisclosed personal and family-related reasons. Griffin, who played two seasons in Atlanta after the Hawks drafted him No. 16 in 2022, was traded to Houston in June in hopes of a kickstart to his young career. Griffin played five games for the Rockets in Vegas’ July summer league, averaging 11.6 points and 3.0 rebounds.
Jayson Tatum: Celtics Knew They’d Win 2024 NBA Title Once Nuggets Lost to Wolves | Bleacher Report
“People always ask me, when did you guys know you were going to win a championship?” Tatum said, per Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. “When Minnesota beat Denver, I felt like Denver was the only team that they matched up best with us. I thought that we were going to play Denver in the Finals and it was going to be a good one.”
Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson was named the WNBA MVP
A’ja + M’VP
It just goes together. Redefining the game, one play at a time. Congrats, A’ja Wilson!
26.9 PPG | 11.9 RPG | 2.3 APG | 1.8 SPG | 2.6 BPG
2024 @Kia WNBA MVP #KiaMVP pic.twitter.com/c9d4n8NTRl
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 22, 2024
In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:
How soon can the Valkyries contend?
And there’s a splash in free agency to be had. Between potentially grabbing some quality players in an expansion draft and becoming a desirable home for players, the Valkyries should be players in a free agency class that includes players like Stewart, former Stanford star Nneka Ogwumike, Brittney Griner, Kelsey Plum, Alyssa Thomas, Brionna Jones, DeWanna Bonner, and so many more high-profile names.
In other words, Lacob’s promise of a championship in the early years might be brash, but it might not be inaccurate.
Follow @unstoppablebaby on Twitter for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.