Golden State Warriors head coach Don Nelson instructs Stephen Curry (30) during their preseason game against the New Orleans Hornets on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. Warriors defeat the Hornets 126-92.
Steph Curry is now a 10-year NBA veteran. Don Nelson, who drafted him, is incredulous in the “time flies” manner of a father talking about a son.
Curry’s first NBA season coincided with Nellie’s 47th and last. The likelihood of those two disparate figures sharing that adventure together?
“Oh, I never thought we’d get him. It took Minnesota taking three point guards ahead of him,” Nelson said, laughing.
The 2009 draft wasn’t that kooky, but it was close. Power forward Blake Griffin went to the Clippers at No. 1. Center Hasheem Thabeet went No. 2 to Memphis. James Harden was drafted No. 3 by Oklahoma City. Shooting guard Tyreke Evans went to Sacramento, then came the two-pack of Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn to Minnesota.
“I would have taken (Curry) second that year,” Nellie said. “I would’ve taken Griffin first, then I would have taken him above anybody in the draft.
Time out for a little-remembered bit of intrigue related to the 2009 draft and Curry’s role in it. Shortly after Nelson made the pick he celebrates today, came a rumor that Curry would be one of four or five Warriors traded to the Phoenix Suns for big man Amare Stoudemire. Even broaching such a transaction would have required the attention of the highest-ranking player personnel executive from both teams: Nelson for the Warriors, and the Suns general manager — a fellow named Steve Kerr.
Now back to our story, in which Curry grows into a two-time MVP and Nelson is amazed but not necessarily surprised.
That’s something that Kerr and Nelson can agree on.