Dub Hub: Steph Curry locked in on winning fifth Warriors’ championship

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Thursday, March 13th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• During an interview with 95.7 The Game, Steph Curry explains how he stays motivated by the thought of a fifth Warriors championship.
• NBL’s Sydney Kings appoint former Warriors’ center Andrew Bogut as an assistant coach.
• Thunder clinch playoff birth after Wednesday’s 118-112 victory over the Celtics.

Despite turning 37 on Friday, Stephen Curry’s hunger for a championship hasn’t faded. With four rings and a Finals MVP already on his résumé, the Golden State Warriors’ superstar could easily rest on his legacy—but that’s never been his nature. Speaking with 95.7 The Game, Curry made it clear: he’s still playing for that fifth ring.

For years, Curry has shouldered the weight of Golden State’s championship aspirations. That’s why Jimmy Butler’s arrival at the trade deadline has been so impactful.

Before the move, the Warriors hovered around .500, struggling to stay in the playoff race. Since Butler’s arrival, they’ve found their rhythm, now sitting nine games above .500.

With a reliable co-star lifting some of that pressure off Curry’s shoulders, the Warriors are starting to look like true title contenders once again.

As the season winds down, one thing is certain: Curry’s fire isn’t fading. He’s locked in—and with Butler by his side, the Warriors might just have the right pieces to make another deep run and get Curry that fifth ring.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Thursday, March 13th:

Warriors News:

Steph shares realistic outlook on how much longer he’ll play | NBC Sports Bay Area

“Nobody wants to be naïve to think, ‘Oh, I’m still that guy,’ and you’re not, and you have a system built around you and you have expectations built around that type of team,” Curry continued. “To that point, we’re not there. What it looks like down the road, I’ll figure that out. But I love the game, and I think the fact that I still show up and still have as much fun as I do every single night, that to me is the blessing and the beauty of where I’m at.

“About to turn 37, I feel the exact same, like a kid when I’m out there playing. It does take me a little longer to get there, the pre-warmup stuff and the recovery days and all that, but I still can get there.”

Why Hield wishes Warriors traded him instead of Wiggs for Butler | NBC Sports Bay Area

“When guys were traded, it was a rough day for [Warriors coach Steve Kerr],” Hield said Wednesday on 95.7 The Game’s “Steiny & Guru.” “Especially with Wiggs, it was emotional in that locker room. I was even more emotional because I wish it was me that got traded because Wiggs did so much for this franchise. For a guy like that, I hated to see him go like that because he’s done so much for this franchise.

“And I said, ‘Man, I wish that was me,’ because he’s put his mark on this franchise, and I know how much he meant to this franchise and the city of San Fran.”

Kawakami: Mike Dunleavy’s bold moves have reshaped Warriors — and even surprised himself | The San Francisco Standard

Steve Kerr tells a story about how and when he realized that Dunleavy really had this thing figured out. They were together last July when Dunleavy was feverishly trying to put together trades for Paul George and Lauri Markkanen. Neither worked out. A few days later, Dunleavy told Kerr he was going to sign some good players — De’Anthony Melton, Buddy Hield, and Kyle Anderson — and then see what he could do at the trade deadline in February, because he knew there’d be opportunities. A few months later came the Butler trade, which included sending out Andrew Wiggins, Anderson, and Dennis Schroder, whom Dunleavy had recently acquired for Melton.

“Holy sh–, it worked out exactly he had planned,” Kerr said last week. “He sorted through all of his options a few weeks ago and ended up with the very best option in Jimmy. Perfect fit. Really didn’t have to give up our future, just this year’s pick. Instantly got better. This is all happening under Mike’s watch and really on his cue. This guy is big-time at his job.”

Bogut joins Kings coaching staff | NBL

In a major shake-up to the Sydney Kings’ coaching staff, Australian basketball legend Andrew Bogut has been appointed as an assistant coach of the club.

Bogut is part of the Kings’ ownership group and won the 2019 NBL MVP while playing for Sydney, and is looking forward to the new challenge of being in a coaching position.

“Being away from the game for five years, the itch to get back on the court was growing stronger with time,” Bogut said.

Steph Curry explains the origin of his “Night Night” celebration

NBA News:

Thunder clinch playoff spot with win vs. Celtics: ‘No better test’ | ESPN

“It’s huge,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of the 118-112 win, after putting up 34 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists in 39 minutes. “Because [the Celtics have] done it, because they’ve done what we’re trying to do, the games against them are always going to be heightened. They’re always going to be a little bit more exciting. They, like I said, achieved what we are trying to accomplish, and there’s no better test in the NBA.

Jazz fined $100,000 for violating NBA’s Player Participation Policy | NBA

The NBA announced today that the Utah Jazz organization has been fined $100,000 for violating the league’s Player Participation Policy. The violation occurred when the Jazz failed to make Lauri Markkanen, a star player under the Policy, available for the team’s game against the Washington Wizards on March 5 at Capital One Arena, as well as other recent games. The Policy, which was adopted prior to the 2023-24 season, is intended to promote participation in the NBA’s regular season.

Steven Adams, Mason Plumlee ejected after scuffle in Suns-Rockets game

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Report: Warriors young wing Jonathan Kuminga finally set to return from injury

It will undeniably be a tall task for Kuminga to reacclimate amidst such different circumstances. While Butler immediately meshed with his Warriors teammates, he’s a veteran known for his understanding of the game and ability to quickly adapt, Kuminga is a 22-year old who is still developing his on-court approach. With the Warriors looking rejuvenated since the Butler trade, Kuminga’s return will arguably be their biggest challenge since the trade deadline.

Follow @unstoppablebaby on Twitter for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.