Ellis was a fan favorite for Dub Nation, so the trade stung. Former Warriors executive Jerry West thinks Curry is who he is today because of the Ellis trade.
That move was the start of an on-court revitalization for the Warriors. Curry was free to take control of the team, and the franchise has gone to heights it could only dream of over the last 8 years.
The team didnt discover any success with the undersized backcourt duo.
” An incredibly popular gamer during my time up there, Monta Ellis was traded and to me, that opened [Currys] capability to become who he is today. I think it made him more positive. They werent an excellent, I think, combine together, and they were both fantastic players, truly terrific players. However I think Steph was the individual that had one of the most growth left in him, and when Monta left, youre seeing Steph Curry these days.”
” I think when there was a trade comprised there, it offered him more room to do things, and likewise have the ball in his hands,” West told 95.7 The Games Damon Bruce, Ray Ratto and Matt Kolsky on Friday. ” If you have someone that can do something really well and you do not have the ball in your hands or you do not have gamers that enhance you, its harder to reach the excellence hes reached.
So in the middle of the 2011-12 season, the Warriors separated the pair by trading Ellis and Ekpe Udoh to the Milwaukee Bucks for Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson.
For two and a half seasons, Monta Ellis and Steph Curry co-existed on the Warriors.
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With Klay Thompson taking over the shooting guard spot next to Curry, the duo formed among the most lethal backcourts the NBA has ever seen.
The next season, the Warriors began a streak of seven straight playoff appearances. Currys achievement started to shine brilliantly and it rapidly ended up being clear the Warriors made the ideal option to trade Ellis.
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Curry would go on to win the NBA MVP award in 2014-15 and 2015-16 while directing the Warriors to three NBA titles and 5 straight appearances in the NBA Finals.
I believe it made him more positive. They werent a great, I believe, combine together, and they were both terrific players, actually fantastic players. I think Steph was the person that had the most growth left in him, and when Monta left, youre seeing Steph Curry of today.”
The NBA has been revolutionized by Curry over the last decade, and it might not have taken place if the Warriors had held on to Ellis.
