The Tanking Cover Up? Steph Curry Expects To Return This Season

Addressing the media for the first time after suffering a fractured left-hand last month, Stephen Curry said on Monday night that he expects to return this season.

"I definitely expect to be ready to play, I don't know when, but at some point in the spring. It's just a matter of the rehab process. I've never obviously dealt with a hand injury like this," Curry said prior to the Dubs’ matchup against the Utah Jazz in the Chase Center.

Steph Curry told reporters he expects to return by early spring https://t.co/V0KgRPNQHG
— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) November 12, 2019

Here’s Steph Curry discussing when he plans to return and the complicated nature of his hand injury pic.twitter.com/bblfAirs10
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 12, 2019

The announcement shuts down earlier reports of Curry missing the remainder of the season. Or did it?

Fans of the league found the timing of this announcement interesting as Boston’s Gordon Hayward suffered the same injury nights ago and is announced to just miss six weeks.

Gordon Hayward and Steph curry both have the same injury, broken left hand. Hayward is expected to return in 6 weeks while Curry is expected to miss the entire season ? somebody explain ??? #CurryExposed
— Tmo ?? (@MidEastsideTmo) November 12, 2019

This development further fed the already rising issue of the Warriors actually “tanking” the season for a lottery pick next year as they lack the tools to compete even at a shot in the postseason.

Having lost most of their main cast members during their Championship run – Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston – plus the injuries of Klay Thompson and Curry, it’s rather inevitable for critics to attach the tanking theory slash strategy to this flip of the switch.

Currently, at a league-worst 2-9 record, fans have already settled as to what the identity of the Golden State Warriors is this season – from a powerhouse dynasty turning to instant underdogs.

Warriors owner Joe Lacob, however, dismissed the rumor, saying that “(Tanking) is against every single thing I and we stand for."

But with the inconsistencies in reports as to the real extent of Curry’s injury, one clearly can’t help but treat it as an utter mystery.

This twitter user actually had another theory in mind, saying that Curry might be avoiding critics and that the six-time All-Star was just trying to protect his legacy.

Stephen Curry said that he’ll still undergo a second surgery around December so the return remains a question mark until it actually happens. On whether it’s just a cover-up of the tanking theory or not, his return will certainly be healthy not just for the Warriors fans but likewise for the entire league.