Golden State Warriors – Fan perspective on the big talking points
Golden State Warriors – Fan perspective on the big talking points: Mark Cadman, an avid supporter of the Warriors, looks back on the 2021-22 season and ahead to the 2023-23 season.
The origins of my devotion to the NBA and the Golden State Warriors…
Mark Cadman claims I was five years old when I started following the NBA. From 1996 to 1998, I called Germany home; during that time, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls were everywhere you looked.
I have many happy memories of playing HORSE and two-on-two in the lawn with my brothers, as basketball was a widely-followed sports area. It was always quite physical, just like the NBA of the ’90s. The team was unable to attempt free throws.
I’ve always had a soft spot for basketball (and many other sports) ever since, but I became a die-hard fan when my college schedule coincided with late-night tip-offs.
Around this time, my dad took a job in San Francisco, so I began attending Warriors games. They were one of the worst-run teams in the NBA back then. As Steph Curry’s star began to rise, the Warriors quickly drafted Klay Thompson and Draymond Green in 2011 and 2012.
Attending Oracle Arena in November 2015 to see the Warriors beat the Lakers and extend their winning run to 16-0 to open the season is my best memory of watching the club (breaking an NBA record in the process). Watching Kobe Bryant play in his final NBA season was a bonus.
My favourite player
It was Stephen Curry. For want of a better phrase, he altered the rules of the game entirely. When he steps foot on the court, you can’t help but stare in awe as he sinks seemingly impossible shots from all over the court.
With such exuberance, he contributes to the game and lifts everyone around him. You won’t find another superstar of his caliber who is more content to let his colleagues steal the show.
It’s hard to believe that anyone ever doubted Steph’s ability to succeed as an NBA player, but that was the case when he first entered the league.
“Golden: The Miraculous Rise of Steph Curry” by Marcus Thompson II is a must-read for any basketball enthusiast. The book sheds new light on the subject.
Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, and Kevon Looney all deserve recognition for their outstanding play. In this age of player empowerment, when it seems like every few months another superstar is forcing a move to a rival team, it is heartening to see a bunch of players stick together and win numerous titles together.
Grade for last season: A+
It was even better than I could have imagined. I assumed we’d be better than the 2020-21 season, but with Klay Thompson coming back from two career-altering injuries, I thought it could be too soon to compete at the elite level.
In terms of the best players, it seems unjust to single them out. That they play a style of basketball that emphasizes teamwork rather than individual star players is a big reason why this squad is fun to cheer for. However, Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole deserve special recognition.
Both players were considered failures at the start of the previous season. They were able to claim victory this year because they changed and improved so much. Wiggins was our team’s second-best player (behind Steph) during the entire playoffs. Thus, his All-Star nod was well-deserved.
Assessing the offseason for the Warriors
The level of competition at center is the biggest concern heading into the summer. Kevon Looney was an ironman last season, appearing in all 104 regular season and postseason games. However, without James Wiseman, the Warriors were extremely vulnerable against talented bigs, so we had to rely largely on small-ball lineups.
The front staff decided to pick a center since they are certain Wiseman will recover fully from meniscus surgery and contribute immediately. Despite his apparent potential, betting on him seems risky, given his lack of NBA and collegiate game experience.
In addition, finding suitable replacements for the many key players who were instrumental in the team’s championship run but have since moved on is essential.
A number of key players, including Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damion Lee, Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr., and Nemanja Bjelica, have left the team. There will now be a significant void in the lineup. The front office is still placing a large amount of faith in the team’s younger players, as both Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody have been given excellent opportunities to build on their promising rookie campaigns.
Points of note from the 2022 NBA Draft
I’m not a die-hard college basketball fan who understood much about draught prospects like Patrick Baldwin Jr. or Ryan Rollins. Since I didn’t get to see either of them play during NBA Summer League, I can’t say much about them beyond the fact that I’ve heard nothing but good things about them from folks associated with the Warriors.
With the departure of so many major players from last season, there will be opportunities for the younger players to receive significant playing time, just as Steve Kerr is shown with Kuminga and Moody.
Other key roster moves
The addition of JaMychal Green, a versatile small forward with three-point range, is a smart move. His career 3-point percentage is 36%, so he won’t be able to replace Otto Porter Jr. in the same way, but he should be able to contribute. Another great acquisition is Donte DiVincenzo. He isn’t as strong defensively as Gary Payton II, but he provides more in the attacking department.
The Warriors’ aims for next season
The first objective must be the title defense. It will be an extremely challenging endeavor. This year’s Western Conference title will not be easily won due to the improved strength of teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets. I won’t bet against a fifth championship if Steph, Klay, and Draymond all stay healthy.
Read More: Former NBA Finals MVP dismisses the notion of ‘rivalry’ between Golden State Warriors and Grizzlies