Stephen Curry got selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. It has now become the best decision the organization has ever made because Steph has been the focal point of four championships.
It almost did not happen for the Warriors because Steph would have been part of the Timberwolves because of his dad, Dell Curry. Curry Sr. spoke about how he got calls from the Warriors and Timberwolves, but their camp wanted Steph to go to the New York Knicks. However, the Warriors did not cave under the pressure and still picked him.
“So draft day, we’re in New York, I get a call from Don Nelson. He says, ‘Dell, you got a problem if we select Steph at No. 7? I said, ‘Yes, I do.’ He’s like, ‘What?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, we want him in New York,’” Dell said on the Heat Check with Stephen and Dell Curry. “I got a call from Minnesota as well, asking about drafting Steph. I told them, ‘Please don’t. Please don’t.’ It was J. B. Bickerstaff. They said, ‘OK, we won’t.’”
The Warriors made the correct decision
When Don Nelson called Dell, he said he would still pick Curry, no matter what they said. It was a big blow to the Curry camp, which wanted to go to New York. However, it worked out for them because Steph became the building block for the Warriors, which ended up being a dynasty.
There were still strong options on the draft board had the Warriors passed on Steph, including DeMar DeRozan and Jrue Holiday. Even Brandon Jennings could have been a valuable pick, potentially altering his career path.
Despite early doubts due to Curry’s persistent ankle injuries, the Dubs made the right choice by selecting the best player in the draft. Once Chef overcame those health issues, he unlocked his full potential, eventually becoming a two-time league MVP and leading the team to four championships.
The Timberwolves blew two opportunities
Minnesota had two chances to select Steph with the fifth and sixth picks of the Draft. Instead, they accepted Dell’s refusal and picked the other two top point guards of the class, Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn.
That was already a bizarre decision because they selected two point guards, which former T-Wolves GM David Kahn is not taking accountability for. They could have picked a backcourt or Rubio and DeRozan, who could become the foundation of the post-Kevin Garnett era. Instead, they went with two guards, with Flynn becoming a massive flop, especially considering how much Steph did for the Warriors.
It was a shame for Minnesota, but Golden State was blessed to have Steph fall into their laps. The Curry camp might have wanted New York, but they were treated well in Golden State, leading to Steph becoming the franchise’s best-ever player.