The Warriors have several ways to properly celebrate franchise icons originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
In the foreseeable future, perhaps by 2030, the people who make decisions for the Golden State Warriors will begin the process of retiring jerseys and installing statues outside Chase Center.
It will be fun, a dream come true for the team’s elite players.
There will also be at least a modicum of consternation.
Stephen Curry is the obvious first choice for both of those titles. He’s a two-time MVP winner and helped lead the Red Devils to four titles in eight years.
His statue will be the largest and most brilliant of all.
But will it be unveiled as a one-man show? Will it be Curry first, and the others will follow?
There is another approach that is possible, although not entirely probable: Draymond Green And Klay Thompson ride with Curry. A trio statue, with the best player in franchise history flanked by longtime teammates who were All-Stars themselves.
That would be an interesting way to go, because it’s arguable that Curry, Green and Thompson were one of the most accomplished trios in the sport — as good as any in NBA history. While Curry is the real superstar, those six NBA Finals appearances, which resulted in four titles, were a product of their partnership, which produced more than a few moments of magic.
Curry wouldn’t have had four rings without Green and Thompson, and they wouldn’t have gotten close to four rings without him.
There’s no doubt that all three deserve a statuette, whether as a group or individually. Regardless of the artistic format, they all get that treatment. No matter what happens in the coming seasons, they’ve already earned it.
Which brings us to Kevin Durant. His jersey is riding up. That’s a lot. confirmed by Golden State CEO Joe Lacobwho long ago conceded that Durant’s three spectacular years with the Warriors were enough to hoist his No. 35 to Chase’s rafters.
But a statue too? That’s another level of gratitude and decoration.
The most compelling argument for a Durant statue is that his decision to join the Warriors in July 2016 struck fear into the hearts of the other 29 NBA teams. For the first time in their history, the Warriors were the league’s biggest bullies. That’s a fact that’s been recognized from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
Durant’s arrival instantly made the Warriors an icon. They could have won more championships without him, but KD — and his two Finals MVP titles — represented a foot on every opponent’s neck.
The only argument against Durant is that three years and 246 games, including the playoffs, might warrant a jersey retirement, but that’s too brief to warrant a statue outside an arena he never played in as a Warrior.
For context, consider the Miami HeatThey will erect their first statue outside the Kaseya Center next month and it will represent Dwyane Wadethe most important player they ever paid. His jersey was retired in 2020, a year after he retired.
What didn’t happen, and may never happen, is that the Heat erected a statue of LeBron Jameswho spent four seasons in Miami, reaching the finals each year and winning two championships.
The decision to recognize KD or not is a decision that belongs to the Warriors. They may have already made their decision and are just waiting for the right moment. My vote? Yes.
There is, however, another actor who is part of this conversation: Andre Iguodala.
As a member of the Denver Nuggets After losing a first-round playoff series to the Warriors in 2013, Iguodala quickly recognized the team’s potential. A free agent a few months later, he bought his way to Golden State, taking less money than he could have made elsewhere. It may be the only time Iguodala willingly turned down millions.
It didn’t take long for Iguodala to become the team’s unofficial captain. He was an old hand, respected for his contributions on the court and his wisdom off it. His teammates consulted him on everything from transition defense to nutrition to investment strategies.
For good measure, Iguodala was voted MVP of the 2015 NBA Finals — Golden State’s first title in 40 years. As the only other member of the exclusive four-ring fraternity with Curry, Green and Thompson, Iguodala earned the privilege of having a statue outside Chase.
Lacob conceded as much, sort of, to NBC Sports Bay Area in January 2021.
“Clearly, with the great accomplishments of the core of Curry, Draymond, Klay and Kevin, for three years, that didn’t last as long as those guys, and even Andre Iguodala, I would say those five guys certainly deserve some sort of ultimate long-term recognition,” Lacob said. “Once they retire, I’m sure they’ll be honored appropriately.”
Believe it. Lacob, like Dub Nation, knows the Warriors have done something special over the past decade. He also knows who has been most responsible for their excellence. Don’t be surprised if the statues have a golden hue.
