Jordan Crawford’s brief stint with the Golden State Warriors in 2014 provided him with a front-row seat to witness Stephen Curry’s rise to greatness. Even during this early period, Crawford sensed that the Warriors, especially with Curry leading the way, were on the cusp of something extraordinary.
On the Gil’s Arena podcast, Crawford recalled playing alongside the emerging “young splash brothers and Draymond” before the team evolved into the dominant <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA dynasty it would become over the next decade.
You could just tell that they was on to something,
Crawford said, highlighting how Draymond Green was already establishing himself as a defensive force in only his second NBA season.
How Coach Mark Jackson Drove Curry’s Competitive Edge
Crawford credited then-head coach Mark Jackson with playing a pivotal role in shaping Curry’s development, particularly by challenging him to embrace tougher matchups and step outside his comfort zone.
I remember Steph used to not do one-on-one battles with Chris Paul. And Mark Jackson used to make him. ‘The only way we gonna beat them is if you go at him.’ That was all Steph needed for real. That little battery in his back.
This push ignited a fierce competitive spirit in Curry, which became a defining feature of his play. It helped transform him into a lethal offensive threat capable of scoring from isolation plays, off screens, or deep beyond the arc.
Crawford acknowledged he couldn’t have predicted how much Curry would revolutionize basketball, but he clearly saw a team energized with a unique dynamic.
You could tell that it (Warriors) was different from the rest of the NBA. Just the juice,
he remarked.
The Emergence of a Dynasty Fueled by Innovation
What Crawford observed was the foundation of a historic Warriors run. Within a year, Golden State secured the first of four championships during six NBA Finals appearances, driven by their innovative spacing and prolific three-point shooting.
Stephen Curry became the embodiment of this transformation, widely regarded as the greatest shooter in NBA history. He expanded the boundaries of scoring distance and redefined the point guard’s role, through constant off-ball movement and the ability to draw defenders, thereby opening the floor as no one had before.
The Warriors’ style influenced teams across the league, prompting players, including big men, to develop outside shooting skills to keep pace with Golden State’s evolution. The impact of Curry’s game remains evident in the NBA today.
For Crawford, being there at the start of Curry’s ascent was memorable, even if he hadn’t foreseen the full scope of what was to come—two MVP awards, four championships, and a lasting cultural influence.
When you see something different, you remember it,
he said. And that team had it.