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Golden State Warriors fans know their team’s chase for a fifth championship banner in the Stephen Curry era will likely be their toughest.
The Dubs have an outside chance at winning as long as Stephen Curry continues to blow past defenses the same way he did against the Memphis Grizzlies . Jimmy Butler will continue being relevant for the Dubs as his two-way presence reduces the pressure on Steph.
Their first-round matchup will be anything but easy, though. The Houston Rockets have the impeccable combination of exciting young talent and gritty veterans ready to play gritty basketball to win. To say that Steve Kerr has a series on his hands tactically is an understatement, given how masterfully Ime Udoka coached the Rockets all season long.
While unlikely, the Warriors are doing everything to give Chef Curry his fifth ring. A former NBA champion opens up about what a fifth title would mean for the best shooter in NBA history.
Paul Pierce thinks Stephen Curry will force his way into the GOAT conversation if he wins one more championship with the Golden State Warriors
Paul Pierce made a compelling argument in a recent SPEAK episode that Curry would put himself into the GOAT conversation if he manages to win it all with his current Warriors team.
He explained that while many still agrees that LeBron defined much of his generation, it’s hard to deny how much Curry has won in his era of ball:
“If Steph Curry wins one more championship—let’s say this year—wins the Finals MVP, we are gonna have some very, very, very, very uncomfortable conversations.
“You know why? That’s gonna mean in the LeBron era, he would have won his fifth title with pretty much three different squads. Three of those championships he won without a Top 75 player.
“In my eyes, he would have won this era with LeBron. So then that tells me… Is he greater than LeBron?”
It’s important to note that Pierce is known to have a slight bias against LeBron, having played against him during his peak years with the Boston Celtics. His takes aren’t often accepted warmly by figures in and around the league.
While Pierce’s personal history might blemish this take, it’s hard to deny that his words have weight. While two of Curry’s four championships were won with Kevin Durant, it’s hard to deny that he’s been consistently relied on for much of his career in Golden State.
The odds don’t look good for the Dubs, but Curry winning an unlikely fifth title will surely drive the narrative about him being greatest forward.
More must-reads:
- Mavericks' Mark Cuban sends strong message on Anthony Davis, but he should change his tune
- Pelicans' Derik Queen lives up to 'Baby Jokic' nickname vs. Nuggets
- The 'NFL single-game completions leaders' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Luka Doncic snubbed Austin Reaves during postgame interview
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have both gotten off to career-best starts with the Los Angeles Lakers this season, and their relationship off the court appears to be thriving as much as it is on it. Just don’t expect Doncic to admit that. Doncic and Reaves have what has been described as a “bromance.” The two hit it off almost instantly after the Lakers acquired Doncic in a stunning blockbuster trade last season. The brotherly dynamic between the two was on full display after the Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 140-126 on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif. As Doncic was being interviewed on the court, Reaves came over and patted the five-time All-Star on the back. Reaves sarcastically told Doncic, “Good job, friend.” Doncic kept a straight face and looked at the camera and shook his head. Doncic was then asked if the two are friends. He said Reaves wants to be friends with him but that he is “not allowing it.” Doncic also said there is “nothing” Reaves can do to earn his friendship. Doncic and Reaves have bonded over their competitive spirit and love of trash talk, among other things. In a feature he wrote earlier this month, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin said several Lakers sources told him that Doncic and Reaves have a “bromance” and are always giving one another a hard time. The dynamics of the relationship have also become evident during interviews. If jokingly snubbing Reaves is what works for Doncic, the Lakers are probably hoping it continues. Both Doncic and Reaves are off to outstanding starts to the season, with Doncic averaging 34.6 points per game and Reaves averaging 28.1. If they can both sustain that pace, they might wind up competing with one another for various NBA honors.
New Angels pitcher Grayson Rodriguez reveals interesting health update after Orioles trade
Acquired in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles, new Los Angeles Angels pitcher Grayson Rodriguez believes there is a big reason why he is ready to put his injury history behind him in Anaheim. Just three days after turning 26 years old, Rodriguez is now a member of the Angels after a one-for-one trade that sent outfielder Taylor Ward to Baltimore. He is also hoping that a new location means an end to injuries that have limited him to 43 starts over the past three seasons. That includes zero starts and innings in 2025 because of an elbow issue in spring training, followed by a right lateral strain in April. More elbow problems popped up for Rodriguez in July before he underwent debridement surgery on his elbow in August, officially ending his season. That surgery, however, is, Rodriguez believes, the key to his return to the mound in 2026 as well as his ability to stay on it. Angels' Grayson Rodriguez said bone spurs have been an issue for a long time In a Zoom meeting with Angels reporters on Wednesday, Rodriguez said the bone spurs that were removed had been a problem for years. "That was something that's kind of lingered with me for about three or four years now," Rodriguez said. "I've had them for a while and kind of just got to the point where I couldn't really pitch through it. Pretty sure that's kind of what was causing some of the lat injuries." If that's the case, it could unlock a pitcher who has logged a 4.11 ERA in 238.2 innings over those 43 starts. He has also registered 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings while issuing just 2.9 walks. Getting those kinds of numbers would be a big boost for an Angels rotation that finished 28th out of MLB's 30 teams last season in ERA at 4.91. It would also represent a missed opportunity for an Orioles team that has stated it is looking for another front-line starter. Rodriguez said on Wednesday he would be ready for spring training, giving hope to the Angels that they have found a pitcher who can be a long-term answer for them on the mound. Rodriguez is not scheduled to be a free agent until the 2030 season. If Rodriguez can stay healthy and produce in Anaheim, it would be a gut punch for an Orioles team that is looking to get back into the postseason conversation in 2026. However, time will tell if those bone spurs are truly the answer to Rodriguez staying healthy and on the field.
Packers Receive Disappointing Injury News Before Vikings Matchup
Jayden Reed’s anticipated return to the practice field for the Green Bay Packers will have to wait a little longer. Despite some growing hope earlier this week that the dynamic wide receiver could begin the next phase of his recovery, head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Wednesday that Reed will not open his 21-day practice window yet. “He’s not practicing today,” LaFleur said ahead of Sunday’s critical matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. When pressed for a clearer timeline on the second-year standout, who remains on injured reserve with collarbone and foot injuries, LaFleur deferred to the medical staff. “I don’t know. As soon as medical clears him, he’ll be out there,” LaFleur said. “I know he’s excited to get back. As am I.” The optimism had spiked in recent days. On Monday, LaFleur indicated there was a chance Reed and/or rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd could start their practice windows this week. Reed himself fueled the excitement Tuesday by sharing a photo of himself dressed in full uniform on social media. Those plans, however, are now on hold. Reed’s surgically repaired foot seems to have healed satisfactorily, but the collarbone—fractured on a diving attempt during the first half of Green Bay’s Week 2 victory over the Washington Commanders—still needs additional time. For a wide receiver whose job involves regular physical contact and the risk of landing hard on the shoulder, the medical staff is requiring clear imaging evidence that the bone is strong enough before green-lighting a return. The cautious approach echoes the Packers’ handling of Aaron Rodgers’ similar collarbone injury in 2017, when the former quarterback sat out seven games while waiting for full healing. Nearly 10 weeks removed from the injury and having already missed eight contests, Reed could still require another one to two weeks before doctors are comfortable clearing him for football activities. That timeline keeps a potential return for the Thanksgiving night clash with the Detroit Lions or the following week against the Chicago Bears realistically in play. Before the injury, Reed had established himself as Green Bay’s top receiving weapon. He paced the team in receiving yards in both 2023 and 2024, and in the two games he played this season while managing the foot issue, he recorded three receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown. The Green Bay Packers will continue their Week 12 preparations without their leading wideout on the practice field, with LaFleur and the organization prioritizing full recovery over a rushed comeback.
Michael Penix Jr.'s partially torn ACL complicates Falcons' future
The Atlanta Falcons' once bright future has turned sour. On Wednesday, reports confirmed that second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. suffered a partially torn ACL, requiring surgery that will have him out until mid-August 2026. Without a training camp or full preseason, Penix's status for the start of the 2026 season is in doubt. Michael Penix Jr.'s injury update complicates Falcons' future When controversially selecting Penix at No. 8 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, one month after signing Kirk Cousins to a contract worth $180 million ($100M guaranteed), Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot reasoned that it would provide stability once Cousins eventually moved on after years spent trying to find former longtime starter Matt Ryan's replacement. Instead, Atlanta is still without a legitimate franchise quarterback. And absent what's trending toward becoming a top-10 first-round pick after a misguided 2025 draft-day trade with the Los Angeles Rams, the Falcons won't have many good options to improve at the position this offseason. Penix's injury could put the team in a difficult spot next offseason, when Atlanta must decide whether to pick up his 2028 fifth-year option. The 2023 Heisman finalist may only qualify for the basic amount, which is projected to be $22.933M for the 2023 first-round quarterback class. That number would rise for the 2024 class, and that's a considerable amount for a player who hasn't proved to be worth that much. (h/t Over the Cap) In 12 career starts, Penix is 224-of-376 (59.6 percent) for 2,719 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. Penix will need to show a lot next year, coming off reconstructive knee surgery, to solidify himself as part of Atlanta's future plans. That doesn't bode well for him or the Falcons, who have several outstanding contract situations to resolve. Tight end Kyle Pitts, the No. 4 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, is on an expiring deal. He's been a huge disappointment, but the Falcons don't have a viable replacement behind him. Wideout Drake London is set to play on his fifth-year rookie option next season and would be a holdout candidate if he's unable to work out a long-term deal. Two-time second-team All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III is also set to play on an expiring deal and should request an extension before taking the field next year. Owner Arthur Blank must determine how much money is worth putting into a team that might be a season or two away from contending, possibly leading to difficult conversations. Players like London, Bates and running back Bijan Robinson, who will be in his fourth NFL season in 2026, would command massive returns on the trade market. As talented as the three are, they're being wasted in Atlanta, which has nothing to show for their contributions. With Penix set for a long recovery timeline, things are unlikely to improve much next season, setting the trio up for another year compiling meaningless stats. The Falcons will eventually have to make decisions on all of their young stars, including Penix. His season-ending injury gives them fewer data points to make an informed call while also stalling his development. A season that began with hope has slowly morphed into another nightmare for Atlanta. It could be a while before the Falcons wake.
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