The Golden State Warriors are rolling, winning eight of their last 10 games, and at the heart of this recent surge is none other than Stephen Curry. Following the team’s 114-102 victory over the New York Knicks—where Curry led the way with 28 points—TNT analyst and Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal demanded that Curry’s name be put in the GOAT conversation.
That statement became a major talking point across media outlets the next day. Even Draymond Green and head coach Steve Kerr joined the discussion, advocating for Curry’s place among the all-time greats.
“You tell me the game of basketball is modeled after how you play… You telling me that guy don’t go in the GOAT conversation?”@Money23Green & @BaronDavis make the case for Steph Curry belonging in the NBA GOAT debate pic.twitter.com/OG5ZcDnels
— The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis (@DraymondShow) March 6, 2025
Curry’s resume speaks for itself: four NBA championships, two MVPs (including the only unanimous MVP in league history), the all-time leader in three-pointers made, and much more. Beyond the accolades though, he revolutionized the sport itself, redefining how basketball is played in the modern era with his generational three-point shooting prowess.
While the GOAT conversation will always be a matter of personal preference, one thing is clear: nobody should bat an eye when Curry’s name is mentioned among the greatest to have ever played the game.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Thursday, March 6th:
Warriors News:
Warriors use Steph Curry’s gravity to get impressive road win over Knicks | The Athletic
“When he’s on the perimeter, somebody, anybody, everybody, you’ve got to go to the paint,” Butler said. “That’s gonna be the most wide-open thing. They’re always going to overreact even when he doesn’t have the ball.”
Butler ticked up his aggression level beginning late in the second quarter. He had three straight makes at the rim and powered to the line for nine free throws, finishing with 19 points despite an inability to make his 3s.
“When (Steph’s) on the floor, you gotta know, if you set a screen for him, you’re going to be the one that’s gotta go to the rim,” Butler said. “When they high-side him, he’s so smart, he’s going to go take the layup. But if he comes off of you to go shoot the ball, trust me, your man is going to guard him. Even my man, whenever I do it, will go guard him. Slip in there. Dray normally has the ball, he’s going to pass it to you whether you’re open or not. Then it’s your job to make the right play.”
Injury updates for Jonathan Kuminga and Gary Payton II prior to Thursdays game vs. Nets
Gary Payton II is probable tomorrow at Nets. Jonathan Kuminga remains out. His return will be pushed into homestand. Rest of Warriors are clear for Brooklyn game.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 5, 2025
10 players in running for Kia Defensive Player of the Year | NBA
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
It’s been eight years since Green was named the league’s top defender in 2017. But the hub of the Warriors’ wheel earned three of his eight All-Defensive berths after turning 30 and finished fourth in DPOY voting as recently as 2023. Golden State ranks eighth defensively, but most of Green’s impact – he’s at +7.1 net rating – comes on the offensive end.
Green, in his 13th season, turned 35 Tuesday, which would make him the oldest DPOY winner. Regardless, he now leans more on guile than physical tools defensively. Said coach Steve Kerr at the season’s start: “Draymond has a unique ability to be physical without fouling. It’s because he’s so smart, he knows the angles, he understands how to use his strength and his long arms to make people have to shoot over him.”
Said Green: “I’ve earned the right to be in the conversation. Every game I’m coming out here motivated defensively to get back on the first team All-Defense.”
Klay’s father states son is ‘stuck in purgatory’ with Mavericks | NBC Sports Bay Area
“No, no not at all,” Mychal Thompson said Thursday on ESPN Los Angeles’ ‘Mason & Ireland’ show when a caller brought up Klay not expecting the Mavericks’ season to unfold the way it has when he signed. “He thought with Luka [Dončić] and Kyrie he had a chance to get back to the Finals. Obviously Luka left. When I told him [Anthony Davis] is coming, you still got a chance to get to the Finals because AD’s that good. Then he’s hurt. And then [Daniel] Gafford got hurt and then [Dereck] Lively got hurt.
“So yeah, Klay is stuck in purgatory right now, and if they hang on to the 10th seed, that will be the story of the year in the NBA. Because I think they’re going to lose 10 in a row.”
Steve Kerr praises the Warriors’ ‘two-way’ identity
Steve Kerr said the Warriors are developing a “real identity.”What is it?
“Two-way team. Last 10 games, I think we are second in both offense and defense. Small sample size, but that’s when we got Jimmy.” pic.twitter.com/wSMP41Gu5A
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 5, 2025
NBA News:
Cavs extend winning streak to 12 games, become 1st team to clinch playoff berth | NBA
Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points, Darius Garland had 10 assists and the Cleveland Cavaliers survived some sloppiness in the final two minutes to win their 12th straight game, 112-107 over the banged-up Miami Heat on Wednesday night.
With the win, the Cavs became the first team to clinch a playoff berth.
Giannis Antetokounmpo hits 20K-points milestone in Bucks’ win | ESPN
The team played a tribute video to Antetokounmpo on the video board after the milestone, although Antetokounmpo joked that coach Doc Rivers kept distracting him during the timeout so he could not watch it.
“He kept saying, ‘Giannis, Giannis, focus on the play,’” Antetokounmpo said with a laugh. “Like, Coach, you [don’t] get a lot of 20,000-points moments in your career.”
Celtics’ Payton Pritchard and Derrick White become franchise’s first duo to score 40+ points in same game
Payton Pritchard and Derrick White COOKED with no Tatum tonight:☘️ Pritchard: 43 PTS | 10 3PM | 10 REB☘️ White: 41 PTS | 9 3PM
FIRST Celtics duo to each score 40+ PTS in the same game pic.twitter.com/pelpze7l2i
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 6, 2025
In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:
Suddenly the 5th seed is in play
It’s only Wednesday, but the Warriors have already gained two games on the Rockets this week. While the Dubs were winning a road back-to-back against the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks on Monday and Tuesday, the Rockets were losing their own road back-to-back against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. The Rockets have now lost three in a row, and 11 of their last 16 games. Their lead over the Warriors is just three games, and Golden State has already secured the tiebreaker between the two teams; in other words, it’s well within the Warriors reach, even if it won’t be easy.
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