Let’s look at the last 7 seasons of the Golden State Warriors and see what the team has accomplished as well as what challenges they have faced along the way.
The Accolades
This will come as no surprise to anyone who has been following the team for the last 7 seasons, but the Golden State Warriors have been nothing short of phenomenal. The team has made the playoffs every year since 2010 and have made it to at least the second round on 6 out of 7 occasions. This year, they are the overwhelming favourite to win the NBA Title.
Not only that, but thanks to the efforts of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, the team has become one of the most popular basketball teams in the world. With several signature sneakers and a “Strength in Numbers” t-shirt, they have cemented their place in basketball history. Along with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers, the Warriors are considered to be the 3 most dominant forces in the NBA today.
The Challenges
Although the Golden State Warriors are widely considered to be one of the greatest teams in NBA history, they’ve had their fair share of trials and errors. As impressive as their record is, they’ve had to overcome some serious setbacks along the way. From Draymond Green’s season-ending injury to the loss of a crucial teammate to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their season.
Here’s a short list of their biggest trials and tribulations.
- Draymond Green season-ending injury (2016-17)
- Kevin Durant trade (2017-18)
- Stephen Curry’s broken arm (2018-19)
- COVID-19 pandemic (2020-21)
- Klay Thompson injured (2020-21)
- Kevon Looney’s season ending injury (2020-21)
- Zaza Pachulia’s season ending injury (2020-21)
- Nashville Predators’ defenseman Ryan Ellis injured (2020-21)
- Celtics assistant coach Montie Willcox fined (2020-21)
- Trevor Booker’s season ending injury (2020-21)
- Tony Allen’s season ending injury (2020-21)
- The birth of Damian Lillard’s twins (2020-21)
- Damian Lillard’s season ending injury (2020-21)
- Kevon Looney’s season-ending injury (2021-22)
- Draymond Green’s season-ending injury (2021-22)
- Kevin Durant’s season-ending injury (2021-22)
- Stephen Curry’s broken arm (2021-22)
- Zaza Pachulia’s season ending injury (2021-22)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo’s season ending injury (2021-22)
Luckily for the Golden State Warriors, all of those problems seem to have been problems of the past. Since the end of last season, they’ve become a completely different team. Not only did they win a record-breaking 73 games last year, but they’ve dominated the sports world ever since. So it seems like all the bad luck the team experienced earlier this decade pales in comparison to the good fortune they’ve had since.
The Revitalization
Last year, the Golden State Warriors finished with the best record in the NBA (73-9). Their 73 wins were the most since the NBA/ABA merger in 1976 and it was the third season in a row they’ve won at least 70 games. Last season was also the first time since 2014 they qualified for the playoffs. For the first time in a decade, the Warriors looked like a team ready to dominate the NBA once more.
The key to their resurgence was the acquisition of superstar Kevin Durant, who had been with the Oklahoma City Thunder since 2010. After months of speculation, on July 15th, the Thunder traded Durant to the Golden State Warriors for a collection of young talents and a first-round draft pick. The move turned the NBA upside down, as the Warriors went on to become one of the greatest teams of all time.
With the help of Durant and Curry, the Warriors became one of the greatest basketball teams of all time. Since 2014, their win total has increased by 23 games while their playoff appearances increased by 2. Their 73 regular season wins were the most since the NBA/ABA merger in 1976 and it was the third season in a row they’ve won at least 70 games. Last season was also the first time since 2014 they qualified for the playoffs. For the first time in a decade, the Warriors looked like a team ready to dominate the NBA once more.
The Comeback
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic was one of the biggest stories of the basketball world in the last year. With several high-profile sports leagues either suspending or postponing their seasons, the NBA was no exception. Even the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the favourites to win the title this year, had to cancel their season due to the pandemic.
Although the season was initially planned to start on March 11th, the first games played were more like a memorial with only 12 players on the court. In the middle of April, the NBA finally gave the go-ahead for the season to begin. Since then, the Warriors have slowly tried to get back to their old form, winning 5 out of their first 6 games this year. Since then, they’ve gone on a 9-game winning streak, including 4 straight over the Cavs.
The Warriors were expected to be down this year, as their 73-9 record from last season was considered a fluke. Thanks to the effects of the pandemic, along with several other setbacks, they’ve had to rebuild their team and work hard to get back on track. Despite all the challenges they’ve faced, the Golden State Warriors have still managed to post the 3rd best record in the Western Conference.
This year’s title race is shaping up to be one of the most exciting ever. The Golden State Warriors are currently the overwhelming favourites, but they’ll have to keep a close eye on the other teams in the conference.