The Golden State Warriors weren’t always the dynasty we see today. Their rise wasn’t loud or flashy—it was a slow burn, one piece at a time. It started in 2009 when Don Nelson rolled the dice on a skinny kid named Stephen Curry. Nobody knew it yet, but magic was brewing in the Bay.  Add Steve Kerr’s brilliance to the mix, and suddenly, the Warriors had their hands on a championship trophy. Little did anyone realize, this was just the beginning of something legendary.

Behind the Warriors’ big moves, there’s a tale of sacrifice and injury. Steph Curry‘s early ankle troubles weren’t just a setback; they catalyzed something bigger. As a result, the Warriors signed Klay Thompson in 2011 for just $9.7 million over four years and secured Draymond Green with a bargain 3-year, $2.6 million deal. These were gifts born from Curry’s ‘monetary’ sacrifice, paving the way for the following dynasty.

Ex-Clipper player Joakim Noah shared the story of the greatest sharpshooter in the NBA’s history on The Old Man & The Three podcast. “Well, I think the most interesting thing about their run is at the beginning of his career, Steph’s career, he was getting hurt a lot. He had really bad ankle injuries,” Noah narrated. “So he signs a deal for peanuts, I mean, not ‘peanuts’, but a lot less than he would be worth. And it allowed them to sign all the guys and their team got a lot stronger. And that’s how the Golden State Warriors really started.” 

Stephen Curry’s impact on the court is undeniable—his talent has redefined the game for the Golden State Warriors. But here’s the twist: despite his game-changing play, his salary didn’t skyrocket as expected. Curry could’ve earned more from a modest $3.9 million in his rookie year to around $9 million. Joakim Noah even hinted that Curry’s worth was much higher. But, in a surprising move, Curry chose to settle for less, opening the door for some of the most iconic signings in NBA history. It’s a curious mix of brilliance and humility, right?

The 2x NBA All-Star commented, “I thought they were good. I didn’t know they’d be that great!” It’s wild to think that just five years after Stephen Curry arrived in 2009, the Golden State Warriors would set the league on fire. Fast forward to 2014, and a dynasty was born. Seven years, four championships, and countless unforgettable moments later, the Warriors—led by Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson—became one of the most dominant teams in the history of the NBA.

Draymond Green deserves a lot of credit for Stephen Curry’s rise

“It wasn’t until Draymond came that things really, really changed,” Joakim Noah reminded. “So the intangibles that Draymond brings to that team allow Steph to be Steph. Like nobody is punking Steph Curry like nobody was punking Klay because of Draymond Green.” Draymond could be called the wall of the Warriors. His defense is one of a kind and hard to emulate. After 10 years in the league, DrayMagic keeps up with the magic he brought on the court as a rookie.

More importantly, the two players’ mutual respect for each other is also special. Following their 102-99 loss against the Clippers on Monday, Draymond Green spoke about the respect Stephen Curry gets in the league. “Guys in the league look at [Steph] as like this mythical superhero,” Green articulated. Old players or young people revere the Baby-Faced Assassin for his humility and not just his game.

The Warriors’ dynasty wasn’t built on flashy moves or big names. It was crafted through sacrifice, teamwork, and a sprinkle of humility. Stephen Curry’s genius on the court is undeniable, but Draymond Green‘s grit made it possible. Together, they formed a duo that transformed basketball. Who knew a skinny kid with ankle troubles would lead the charge to one of the most unstoppable teams in the history of the NBA? The Warriors’ rise was slow, but it was worth the wait!