From injury setbacks to commanding the court as a true leader, Stephen Curry’s journey with the Golden State Warriors is one of transformation, trust, and timing.
When Draymond Green first stepped into the Golden State Warriors locker room back in 2012, he didn’t see Stephen Curry as a vocal presence. The then-quiet guard was still navigating ankle injuries and focused almost exclusively on refining his deadly shooting range. More than a decade later, Curry has become the emotional and strategic heartbeat of the franchise—a leader in every sense.
A Journey Defined by Moments, Not Speeches
Curry's rise to leadership didn't happen with a single rousing locker room speech. Instead, it emerged from countless small but significant moments over the years—gestures that built trust and earned respect from his teammates.
“In those early days, I was the loud one,” Draymond Green recently shared. “I was brash and in-your-face. Steph was calm and calculated. Total opposites.” Despite that, or perhaps because of it, their relationship evolved into one of balance and mutual growth.
The 2018 Turning Point: A Visit That Meant More
One pivotal example came during the 2018 season after a well-known clash between Green and Kevin Durant. Instead of distancing himself, Curry took the initiative. Before their next game, he went straight to Green’s house for a heart-to-heart.
“Just to know I’m going to come sit here with you for two hours,” Green recalled. “And we’re going to talk through this, figure out what happens next. I’m going to tell you how I feel, you tell me how you feel, and we’ll go from there.”
It wasn’t a grand gesture—but it made a lasting impact.
Fast-Forward to 2025: A Quiet Correction in Crunch Time
The clearest sign of Curry's leadership came in April 2025, during a high-stakes NBA Play-In Tournament game against the Memphis Grizzlies. With just minutes left, Green took a corner three that he immediately wished he hadn’t.
“After that shot, Steph very nicely told me it wasn’t the time for me to shoot,” Green said with a grin after their 121–116 victory. “He came over to me saying, ‘Hey man, we’ve got to get into a certain action we like to run.’ And I was like, ‘All right, no problem.’”
Later that week, on The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis, Green elaborated. “Steph would never say, ‘Don’t shoot,’ but that’s how I heard it,” he laughed. “Pretty much what he was saying was, ‘Get the ball in the same spot, but give it to me instead.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, say no more.’”
They ran the same play again. This time, Green passed. Curry drained the shot.
Growth That Can’t Be Measured by Stats
Green emphasized that the shot itself wasn’t what stood out—it was Curry’s ability to step in, offer guidance, and lead without ego.
“Obviously, the shot-making… all of that stuff is incredible,” Green said. “But it’s that growth right there I appreciate the most because it encompasses his voice.”
He went on to reflect that even five or seven years ago, Curry likely would’ve stayed silent in that moment. “He wouldn’t have said nothing,” Green admitted. “But that’s no longer the case.”
Not a New Person—Just a Fuller Version
Curry didn’t need to overhaul who he was to lead—he just grew into a more vocal, confident version of himself. And that’s exactly what makes his leadership so authentic.
“He didn’t always have that voice. That’s something he grew into,” Green said. “And now that he has it, we all trust it.”
Looking Ahead: Leadership That Makes the Difference
As the Warriors prepare to take on the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, their greatest weapon may not just be shooting or defense—it’s the leadership of a player who commands respect with poise and purpose.