When Stephen Curry was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 2009, Dell Curry admitted he was apprehensive about the choice. Despite Stephen’s stellar college career at Davidson, Dell was concerned about the environment his son was entering, particularly the Warriors’ locker room dynamics at the time. During a recent episode of ‘Raising Fame’, a podcast hosted by Sonya Curry, mother of Stephen Curry, and Lucille O’Neal, mother of Shaquille O’Neal, Dell admitted:
“They had had some questionable characters in the locker room. And him coming out early, we wanted him to play with some professional guys who could teach ’em the NBA. I’d been to the NBA, but I’d been retired 12, 15 years by then and the game had changed.”
“The locker room had changed, but more so we wanted him in the best situation in the organization that fit his game. We thought it would be New York.”
“We were not overly excited. We were excited he was drafted the NBA, but we were again, we were like really concerned.” (11:35)
Dell’s concerns were not baseless. The Warriors, despite their passionate fan base, were a franchise known for instability and frequent coaching changes. They had only made the playoffs once in the 15 seasons before Stephen’s arrival, and the organization was often criticized for its questionable decisions in drafts, free agency, and trades. The team’s reputation was further tarnished by incidents like Latrell Sprewell choking coach P.J. Carlesimo in 1997, highlighting a tumultuous atmosphere.
The roster in 2009 was also a source of concern. Monta Ellis, one of the team’s stars, had just been suspended in 2008 after lying about a moped accident that violated his contract. Additionally, Stephen Jackson, known for his fiery temperament, was a leading figure in the locker room, often drawing negative attention for his off-court behavior. This made the environment seem less than ideal for a rookie like Stephen Curry, who was looking to make his mark in the NBA.
Despite these initial concerns, Stephen Curry’s arrival marked the beginning of a transformation for the Warriors. His leadership, work ethic, and talent, combined with a changing team culture, helped elevate the Warriors from perennial underachievers to one of the most dominant franchises in NBA history.
His concerns, while valid at the time, were eventually dispelled as Stephen’s influence grew and the team’s culture evolved under the leadership of new players and coaches.
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