Steph. Now 38 years old, the four-time NBA champion is preparing for his 18th season with the San Francisco team, and all signs point to him ending his career there.
““I’m not that kind of player. So, the idea of being able to redefine what success means and what it takes for this particular team to achieve it… I like those challenges. I think that, in the history of the league, I don’t know how many teams have been title favorites for almost… what, almost two decades? I’m now entering my 18th season… That doesn’t mean we aren’t constantly trying to find ways to improve—and you know, with the way the league is changing, you have to be prepared for anything. But for me, all I want is to stay healthy. I missed almost… what, over 30 games last year? So, my top priority is simply to play good basketball once we get started,” he emphasized.
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As for his contract, which expires this year—and while he has the right to sign a one-year deal worth $62.6 million—he said: “It will happen at the right time, once I’ve gathered all the information I need to make the right decision. The team has handled this dialogue exceptionally well. The fact that I’m not signing right away won’t affect my performance on the court or weigh on me. I’ll make the decision when I feel ready,” he emphasized.
In any case, he doesn’t view the upcoming season as his last. “I think about it every day. No one can beat time. I say this because it shapes the way I work, the way I prepare, and the way I commit to my training plan—but also to enjoying the time I have. I know there are fewer days left than there have been, and that’s okay. I still have a lot to achieve on the field, and I still love the game. I still feel that I can compete at a high level… There’s a sense that I need to make the most of these next two years and see where they take me. That’s, more or less, my strategy right now.”
Besides, he himself doesn’t see any decline in his game. “Not at all. It’s just a matter of health. I think… every team needs that to reach its full potential as a group of players. As for me, I know I have to play at a very high level for us to be competitive, and that’s my plan. But health comes first, and I’m doing everything I can to be ready when the season starts.” “We talked about this last year. Because of the success we’ve had, we’ll always be compared to the standard of a champion—and rightly so. That’s the way we work. It’s how we bring everything together in the Warriors’ system. However, I believe that building a new foundation for what this particular team needs to succeed—beyond the obvious, which is staying healthy—is important. We have a team with experienced players returning, but also young players ready to take a step in the right direction and become players who will make a difference. Of course we want to compete for the championship, but this is a great opportunity for us to rebuild everything from scratch, maintaining the Warriors’ basketball identity while also trying to redefine it. So, yes, we need to keep in mind what June will look like, but getting off to a good start and understanding what this team needs to succeed… in short, of course I want to win the championship, but above all I want us to play good basketball, because it’s been a while since we’ve done that.”
*photo source: AP
