The Warriors face a different kind of pressure from the pressure the Bucks and Knicks face. In Milwaukee, whether real or imagined, there’s that existential threat of losing Antetokounmpo to a large-market team. In New York, there’s the constant bombardment of “Will the Knicks ever win another title?”
Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Steve Kerr have nothing left to prove. After their four NBA titles together and the successes in the Olympics, their legacies are as secure as anyone’s in the NBA right now, other than LeBron James’. Heck, Jimmy Butler doesn’t have much left to prove anymore, either, not after he sparked the Miami Heat to two Finals appearances.
Golden State’s pressure stems from its ticking career clocks. Curry will turn 38 before this season’s playoffs begin. Green will be 36. Butler turned 36 last month. As effective as they still are, it’s not reasonable to expect them to remain at their current high levels much longer. This spring won’t be their last hope to win one more championship, but it probably will be their best remaining chance.