Steph Curry has earned virtually unlimited goodwill in Golden State. But is that goodwill about to face its toughest test?

On this episode of On The Ball, Ric Bucher challenges the annual fantasy that Curry and the Warriors have one more championship run left in them. Golden State is coming off a 37-win season, made no transformative offseason addition and is relying on a 38-year-old superstar whose workload already has to be carefully managed. Yet Curry could remain among the NBA’s highest-paid players for years to come.

Ric explains why Curry deserves every dollar after transforming the Warriors and the NBA—but also why his salary, age and diminished supporting cast create a late-career situation unlike the ones faced by Magic Johnson, Larry Bird or Michael Jordan. Can Warriors fans simply enjoy Curry’s remaining magic without expecting another championship? And if the losses pile up, will they?

Ric also looks beyond the NBA storylines the national networks are likely to push, explaining why Oklahoma City and San Antonio are more compelling than LeBron James’ first week in Philadelphia, why the Western Conference may be more top-heavy than wide open, and why the Eastern Conference could become the NBA’s real battleground after a massive migration and consolidation of star talent.

Plus: why last season’s panic over tanking was overblown, and Ric closes with a personal remembrance of his former ESPN colleague Barry Melrose and the lesson he took from not reaching out before it was too late.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Welcome to On The Ball

01:16 – The NBA storylines Ric believes actually matter

01:40 – Why the LeBron-in-Philadelphia hype misses the point

02:55 – OKC and San Antonio: the matchup Ric really wants to see

03:40 – The annual Steph Curry “one more ring” fantasy

04:25 – Why the Warriors no longer look like contenders

05:03 – Curry’s next contract and the coming test of Warriors fans

05:21 – Ric addresses his history with Golden State

06:15 – How team relationships influence sports media coverage

07:38 – Why access has become king in sports television

07:43 – Ric’s real feelings about Steph Curry and the Warriors

09:02 – Why the end of the Warriors dynasty fascinates Ric

09:30 – What makes Curry different from past NBA icons

10:25 – Bird, Magic and Jordan: how legends exited the NBA

12:11 – Why Curry’s late-career situation is different

13:05 – The reality of Golden State’s chances in the West

14:09 – Does Curry deserve to remain one of the NBA’s highest paid?

15:16 – Why Curry’s salary could eventually create backlash

16:07 – The limits of Steph’s late-career magic

17:03 – The dilemma: Golden State needs more Curry but must play him less

17:28 – Enjoy the Steph Curry show—without expecting another trophy

18:06 – Why the Eastern Conference could deliver the NBA’s best drama

18:59 – How deep could the East really be?

19:24 – Why the NBA’s tanking panic was overblown

20:15 – Remembering Barry Melrose

21:34 – Ric’s regret—and the lesson Barry’s death left behind

22:41 – Final thoughts and sign-off

#NBA #StephenCurry #StephCurry #Warriors #GoldenStateWarriors #LeBronJames #76ers #Thunder #Spurs #EasternConference #BarryMelrose #OnTheBall #RicBucher

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