Both of the Bay Area teams that play inside an arena are currently in a funk. Both the Sharks and Warriors are on a losing streak, but do not fret. For the Warriors, they’re a little over the halfway mark of the season, with plenty of basketball left to be played. Once again, this series examines their past decade and how they are contributing to the winning culture in Bay Area Sports—up next, the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland A’s.
Golden State Warriors Definition of mediocrity for the past 19 years looking to gain respect The Warriors haven’t had a player represent the team in the All-Star game in 16 years. I was two back then. The last All-Star for the Warriors was Latrell Sprewell, who’s infamous for choking then Warriors head coach, and current Brooklyn Nets head coach, P.J. Carlesimo. That alone is indicative of how bad the Warriors have been for the past almost two decades.
Sure, there were some players during that span who should’ve been invited to an All-Star game; Baron Davis wasn’t always a lazy, out-of-shape point guard. During his run as a Golden State Warrior, he merited an All-Star berth. Or maybe Monta Ellis. That discussion now comes to Stephen Curry, who well could’ve, and should’ve, been an All-Star this year.
But at least the Warriors broke that streak of All-Star-less players this year. David Lee is an All-Star. Again, Curry should be joining him. But the Warriors are turning heads this year.
The Los Angeles Clippers, the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder are some of the top teams in the N.B.A. this season. The Warriors beat them all, at least one time. And the Warriors were competitive against the Spurs in their game in last month, so they almost became the giant killers. And those victories came without center Andrew Bogut, who was the centerpiece in the
trade that shipped Monta Ellis to Milwaukee, who has been out for most of the season.
The Warriors are currently the sixth seed in the Western Conference, sitting with a 30-22 record heading into All-Star weekend.
While their losing streak has slipped them down the rankings, the Warriors are in the midst of their best season since the 2007-2008 season, where they finished 48-34.
The Warriors, led by Curry and Lee, are playing a much more balanced basketball. This is due to head coach Mark Jackson, who has instilled a balanced team mentality.
Gone are the days of “Nellie ball”, affectionately called after former coach Don Nelson, where the emphasis was run-and-gun offense and zero emphasis on defense.
Mark Jackson is bringing back the “We Believe” days back to the Warriors. The team, losing streak aside, has played great so far this season. The team is buying into coach Jackson’s system and playing spirited basketball.
At the end of the regular season, the Warriors should make the playoffs for just the second time in 19 years. And hopefully start a new era in which the Warriors are actually relevant.
