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Stephen A. Smith Delivers Crushing Verdict On Steph Curry’s Championship Hopes With Warriors, And Fans Aren’t Ready For This

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May 15, 2025

Smith suggested that the absence of a superstar like Durant has left a void too big to fill for Golden State and Stephen Curry's title win Stephen Curry (Photo by Cary Edmondson/Imagn Images)
Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors last stood atop the NBA in 2022, capturing their seventh championship and moving into third place all-time in NBA titles. Since that win, the team has been eyeing an elusive eighth ring. But the path back to the summit has grown more uncertain.

On Wednesday’s episode of First Take on ESPN, Stephen A. Smith delivered a sobering take on Curry’s chances of adding another title to his resume with the Warriors. Smith suggested that the absence of a superstar like Durant has left a void too big to fill for Golden State.

“I think the second we really, really knew in our hearts this was it [for the Warriors] was when they didn’t get Kevin Durant to come back. I think we’ve seen the last of Steph Curry as a champion in Golden State,” Smith said.

Stephen A. Smith:

“I think we’ve seen the last of Steph Curry as a champion in Golden State.”

(via @FirstTake, h/t @ClutchPoints)pic.twitter.com/mNwBTy32KY

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 14, 2025

The 2024-25 season initially offered renewed optimism for Golden State. The midseason acquisition of Jimmy Butler injected life into the Warriors’ campaign. Butler’s acquisition ignited a late surge that saw them clinch a playoff berth and advance to the Western Conference semifinals. For a brief moment, the dynasty appeared revived.

However, hopes were quickly dashed when Curry suffered an injury in Game 1 of the conference semifinals. Without their leader at full strength, the Warriors faltered, dropping four consecutive games and ultimately being eliminated from the playoffs.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Presence At Stephen Curry’s Event Sparks Curiosity

Stephen Curry (Photo By Darren Yamashita/Imagn Images)

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In the midst of uncertainty, an interesting thing caught attention during All-Star Weekend. According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Giannis Antetokounmpo was one of the very few non-Warriors present at a private event held for Stephen Curry in San Francisco.

“Giannis and Steph, it should be noted, are both represented by the same Octagon agency. Still, it was a Warriors-centric event with one notable, and very large, exception,” Amick noted.

Antetokounmpo has long been considered a dream target for the Warriors, someone who could potentially give Curry one last run at glory. No move is imminent. Yet the sight of Giannis mingling with the Warriors’ inner circle is enough to fuel curiosity and hope among Golden State fans.