When Steve Kerr recently said, “I’ll never leave Steph Curry,” on The Athletic Show, it landed like a love letter to the Golden State Warriors' golden era. For fans, it was a reminder of just how rare - and how special - this partnership has been.
A head coach and a superstar player, both operating at elite levels for over a decade, bound by mutual trust, shared success, and a basketball philosophy that changed the game. In today’s NBA, that kind of longevity is almost unheard of.
But for some longtime Warriors fans - especially those who remember the We Believe days, before the banners and parades - Kerr’s words sparked something else: a quiet sense of dread. Because if Kerr is saying he’ll never leave Steph… does that also mean he’ll leave with Steph?
It’s a fair question. And a tough one.
The End of an Era? Maybe - But Not Quite Yet
Let’s be clear: neither Steve Kerr nor Steph Curry is mailing it in. Far from it.
At 37, Curry is still putting up numbers that put him in MVP conversations. His gravity on the floor remains unmatched, and his leadership continues to set the tone for the entire organization.
Kerr, meanwhile, is still one of the sharpest minds in the league. His offensive schemes, player development chops, and ability to manage egos in a star-driven league have kept the Warriors competitive even as the roster has shifted around him.
But the reality is starting to creep in. The whispers of retirement, the subtle comments in interviews, the way Kerr framed his loyalty to Steph - it all feels like the beginning of the end. And if both were to step away around the same time, the impact on the franchise would be seismic.
Golden State has been built around these two for over a decade. Their synergy - on and off the court - is the foundation of four championships and a basketball revolution.
When that foundation eventually goes, the Warriors won’t just be saying goodbye to a coach and a player. They’ll be closing the book on an era that redefined what winning basketball looks like.
A Legacy That’s Still Being Written
It’s tempting to get caught up in the nostalgia, especially with the Warriors no longer dominating the West like they once did. But don’t be fooled - these are still the good old days. As long as Curry is pulling up from 30 feet and Kerr is drawing up actions that free shooters like clockwork, there’s still magic in the Bay.
The wins may not come as easily as they did during the dynasty’s peak, but the standard remains high. That’s the legacy Kerr and Curry have built - one where even a “down year” still means playoff contention and national relevance.
Still, every time one of them hints at the future, it forces fans to confront a tough question: what does life after Steph and Steve look like?
The truth? It’s not clear. And maybe that’s okay for now.
Enjoy It While It Lasts
There’s a saying: *You don’t know you’re in the good old days until they’re gone. * Warriors fans are lucky - they do know.
They’ve seen the transformation from league afterthought to global powerhouse. They’ve watched a skinny kid from Davidson become the greatest shooter of all time, and a rookie head coach turn into a Hall of Famer before our eyes.
So when Kerr says he’s not leaving Steph, it’s not just a sentimental statement. It’s a vow to ride this thing out together - however long it lasts. And while the finish line may be closer than it once was, it’s not here yet.
For now, the Warriors still have their two pillars. And that means they still have a shot.