Steph Curry Opens Up About Monta Ellis: “Nothing But Respect”
Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry recently shared heartfelt thoughts about former teammate and Warriors legend Monta Ellis — and fans are loving the honesty.
In a recent interview, Curry didn’t hold back in expressing his respect for Ellis, the high-scoring guard who carried the Warriors through some of their toughest years before the team became the dynasty we know today.
“Monta was that guy when I got here,” Curry said. “He was the heart and soul of the team, and he had the city on his back.”
For longtime Dubs fans, Monta Ellis was the face of the Warriors in the late 2000s. Explosive, fearless, and always exciting to watch, Ellis gave Golden State a spark in an otherwise rebuilding era. He was a fan favorite — and many believed he was the franchise’s future.
So when the Warriors traded Monta Ellis to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2012 to make room for Curry’s rise and the development of a new core, it wasn’t exactly a popular decision. Fans booed owner Joe Lacob at a game just days after the deal. At the time, many saw Curry as injury-prone and unproven — while Monta was the star.
But Steph understood the reaction. “People loved Monta,” he said. “He meant a lot to Oakland and to this organization. I knew it wasn’t about me personally. It was just hard to see a beloved player go.”
Still, Curry has never seen Monta as anything less than a mentor and a competitor. “He taught me a lot — even without trying. Watching how hard he played, how much the game meant to him. I learned from that. He was a dog, man.”
And for those who wonder if there was tension? Steph shut that down.
“There was never any beef. People like to build that narrative — but nah. Monta showed love, and I always had love for him. We were trying to win, and we were figuring it out together.”
With time, fans have come to appreciate the hard decisions that helped build the Warriors dynasty. The Monta trade opened the door for Steph, Klay, and Draymond to become what they did. But Curry’s comments are a reminder that none of it happened in a vacuum.
“Monta paved the way,” Curry said. “I respect him for everything he did. He deserves his flowers.”
It’s rare in today’s sports world to hear this kind of humility and respect from a superstar. Curry didn’t just acknowledge Ellis — he gave him credit as a key chapter in Warriors history.
And for fans who remember the days of “We Believe” and the Monta-Arenas-JRich backcourt, it’s a full-circle moment. Monta may not have won a ring with the Dubs, but as Steph made clear, he was a legend in his own right.
Warriors basketball wouldn’t be what it is today without Monta Ellis. And Steph Curry wants everyone to remember that.
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