Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Curry, Warriors no longer lucky; NBA, TV execs banging heads
Share This Post
Comments
Monday, April 25, 2016 - 1:30pm
Follow @rattocsn

This is the sound of Adam Silver and his television friends gathering around a large mahogany desk and banging their heads against the tops to see who actually makes a visible indent first.

Stephen Curry is expected to miss two weeks, give or take a panicked moment, as a result of The Dreaded Houston Puddle Of 2016. This is the tabloid version of the wet spot on the floor at Toyota Center that caused Curry to go for an involuntary skate and first torque and then land on his right knee, and will have to do as a descriptor sufficiently outrageous to match the league’s television-driven mood.

In other words, we are about to find out just how apt the team’s marketing cry, “Strength In Numbers,” is when one of the numbers isn’t Curry’s.

The MRI showed a Grade 1 sprain, which is medical jargon for either “God, I hope this doesn’t kill the ratings,” “Klay Thompson better not have one of those spells he has,” or “Is this bad luck enough for you whiners?”

[RATTO: Adam Silver's call to Joe Lacob about Steph Curry's status]

Those are the three avenues that present themselves to the Warriors. The league and its various networks have relied heavily on Curry’s cultural value to enjoy superior ratings/revenues. Thompson has to look much closer to the fellow who lit up the second half of Game 4 (and when we say Thompson, we also mean Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes and Andre Iguodala and all the other members of the orchestra).

And the Warriors will no longer be accused of being lucky.

This is the worst possible scenario for their postseason plans, with the singular exception of “he’ll need surgery,” which is not indicated. And some sour folks in other climes will decide that this is the karmic payback for all the health they had a year ago.

I mean, we all know no team stays that healthy year after year. Sports is slow-motion carnage, and always has been.

But Curry’s loss is easily the Bay Area equivalent of Buster Posey’s broken ankle in 2011; Posey lost most of a season, true, but Curry is more important to more people in terms of competitive gift and financial throw-weight.

But we’ll leave that debate to you folks who enjoy “Duck Season/Rabbit Season/Fire!” arguments. The more pressing notion is what the Warriors do about it.

In short, we will see just how firm yet supple Steve Kerr’s grip on this team is, and how well they adjust to a cricket bat to the goolies.

There’s no useful extrapolation to how a Curry-less Warrior team would function past the relative certitude that it will not suddenly make Houston a prohibitive favorite in this series. For one, the Warriors lead 3-1 with Game 5 at home, and for two, it’s the Rockets.

But suddenly every game is a serious argument rather than a fait accompli with hoops at each end, and a second-round series with the Los Angeles Clippers (if they can navigate the Portland Trail Blazers) suddenly looks much less assured. The one thing the Warriors can hope for, and almost assuredly do, is that Portland and the Clippers extend each other to seven games, which would, if the two-week prognosis is accurate rather than a glorified “Beats me” with a stethoscope, reduce the number of games Curry would be likely to miss in the second round to a workable three or four games.

That is if two weeks is a useful rather than fanciful estimate. Knees heal at their own maddening rate, and only a dope would venture a guess as to how much pain tolerance Curry possesses. He is, we know, a terrible patient and almost certainly cannot be trusted to say anything past “I’m ready to go” when asked.

But neither the coaching nor training staffs have a reputation for rushing players back, and if anything lean toward conservatism. That could well change if they are backed into a corner – say, like a Game 7 – but that, too, is based on little evidence.

We know, though, that the league will be impatient on Curry’s behalf. Their frustrations will be reduced to, again, head-banging, pacing and taking phone calls from irritated network executives (which, as we all know, is a redundancy). Everybody has a piece of the action in one way or another, and all we really can say with certitude is this:

Nobody is calling the Warriors lucky right now. They just rolled snake-eyes with big cartoon dice.

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Inside Pitch: Giants finding right role for Kelby Tomlinson
Poole: Warriors feel they 'dodged a bullet' with Curry's MCL sprain
STL: After beating Kings, how much confidence do Sharks have?
Would Warriors let Curry play if knee isn't 100 percent?

Giants

LIVE: Padres vs Giants
Giants notes: Kontos getting closer; Romo set to throw
Giants minor league SS suspended 100 games for drug of abuse
Giants lineup: Span, Belt back in for opener vs Padres
Read More

Athletics

Cabrera, Tigers maul Graveman, hand A's third straight loss
Struggling Tigers still pose threat to confident A's
A's lineup: Canha out, Coghlan batting second and playing third
A's recall Triggs from Triple-A, option Surkamp
Read More

Sharks

'Buzzing' Sharks get back to work during playoff layoff
Donskoi emerges in Sharks' first round win
Six reasons Sharks knocked out Kings in Stanley Cup Playoffs
Ward tips hat to Prince after Sharks eliminate LA Kings
Read More

49ers

Mock Draft 6.0: 49ers trade down; Raiders get Elliott
49ers draft outlook: Baalke in the QB market
Norman: Washington 'didn't let me out of the building'
Top position needs for 49ers in 2016 NFL Draft
Read More

Raiders

Report: Raiders hosted Myles Jack for private workout
Del Rio, McKenzie value 'collaborative effort' on Raiders draft
Top position needs for Raiders in 2016 NFL Draft
Raiders draft outlook: Jackson III realistic CB option at No. 14
Read More

Warriors

Myers: Curry 'focused on getting back as soon as he can'
Curry, Warriors no longer lucky; NBA, TV execs banging heads
Steph Curry sustains Grade 1 MCL sprain in right knee
Steph Curry: 'All things considered, I’m gonna be alright!'
Read More

NCAA

Cal's Under Armour deal comes at critical time for university
Cal forward Rabb passes NBA, returns for sophomore season
Report: Rabb 'strongly considering' returning to Cal
Cal's Jaylen Brown declares for 2016 NBA Draft
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • G-Mag
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

LIVE: Padres vs Giants
CSN Bay Area staff

GIANTS VIDEO

Inside Pitch: Giants finding right role for Kelby Tomlinson
Inside Pitch: Giants finding right role for Kelby Tomlinson
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Giants notes: Kontos getting closer; Romo set to throw
  • Rewind: Peavy finds rhythm on mound, at plate as Giants roll
  • Instant Replay: Peavy back on track as Giants topple Marlins
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • All A's
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Cabrera, Tigers maul Graveman, hand A's third straight loss
Associated Press

A's VIDEO

Glen & Ray: A's in it, but little things make difference in Toronto
Glen & Ray: A's in it, but little things make difference in Toronto
See more >

A's INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

'Buzzing' Sharks get back to work during playoff layoff
(1)
Kevin Kurz

SHARKS VIDEO

STL: After beating Kings, how much confidence do Sharks have?
STL: After beating Kings, how much confidence do Sharks have?
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • 'Buzzing' Sharks get back to work during playoff layoff
  • Donskoi emerges in Sharks' first round win
  • Six reasons Sharks knocked out Kings in Stanley Cup Playoffs
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Warriors Central
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets
  • Stream the Warriors on Live Extra

Latest News

Myers: Curry 'focused on getting back as soon as he can'
(1)
Monte Poole

WARRIORS VIDEO

Poole: Warriors feel they 'dodged a bullet' with Curry's MCL sprain
Poole: Warriors feel they 'dodged a bullet' with Curry's MCL sprain
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Myers: Curry 'focused on getting back as soon as he can'
  • Steph Curry sustains Grade 1 MCL sprain in right knee
  • Rewind: 'Playing for Steph,' Warriors find triumph of spirit
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider James Ham
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets
  • Stream the Kings on Live Extra

Latest News

The Kings Insider Podcast: Episode 28: Cap guru Larry Coon
James Ham

Kings Video

Divac: 'I like George, just felt we had to get a new voice'
Divac: 'I like George, just felt we had to get a new voice'
See more >

KINGS INSIDER

  • Beverley 'very confident' Rockets 'can shock the world'
  • With Curry out, Rockets' gameplan goes out window
  • Rockets sticking to defensive tactic: 'You have to be physical'
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Mock Draft 6.0: 49ers trade down; Raiders get Elliott
(1)
Rotoworld.com

49ers VIDEO

Maiocco: Evaluating how 49ers should maneuver in NFL Draft
Maiocco: Evaluating how 49ers should maneuver in NFL Draft
See more >

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Report: Raiders hosted Myles Jack for private workout
CSN Bay Area staff

RAIDERS VIDEO

How excited is Carr for Raiders offense in 2016? 'A lot of trust there'
How excited is Carr for Raiders offense in 2016? 'A lot of trust there'
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Instant Replay: Quakes down Sporting KC on Wondolowski's PK
Julio Lara

Quakes Video

Re-tooled Quakes gear up for Sunday's season opener
Re-tooled Quakes gear up for Sunday's season opener
See more >

Quakes Shop

JOE STIGLICH

Struggling Tigers still pose threat to confident A's
(1)
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Giants notes: Kontos getting closer; Romo set to throw
(2)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

49ers draft outlook: Baalke in the QB market
(24)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Del Rio, McKenzie value 'collaborative effort' on Raiders draft
(7)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Myers: Curry 'focused on getting back as soon as he can'
(1)
See more >

JAMES HAM

The Kings Insider Podcast: Episode 28: Cap guru Larry Coon
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

'Buzzing' Sharks get back to work during playoff layoff
(1)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Curry's fragility new narrative of Warriors' title defense

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

VOTE YOUR FAVORITE ALL-STAR TEACHER

ast

Vote for your favorite All-Star Teacher here!

The winner gets $20k for his/her school!

SAY HEY TUESDAY

s

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

NCAA

  • Stanford Football
  • Stanford Basketball
  • Stanford Women's Basketball
  • Cal Football
  • Cal Basketball
  • Cal Women's Basketball
  • SJSU Football
  • SJSU Basketball
  • USF Basketball
  • USF Women's Basketball
  • Saint Mary's Basketball
  • Santa Clara Basketball
  • Fresno State Football

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Biz Ball
  • Combat Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Inside Pitch: Giants finding right role for Kelby Tomlinson
Inside Pitch: Giants finding right role for Kelby Tomlinson
See more >

ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

  • G-Mag
  • All A's
  • Carpool Confessions
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • SportsTalk Live
  • But Seriously

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • James Ham - Kings
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California