There was a reason why the Golden State Warriors nearly ruined basketball. It was never about the burner accounts. The NBA was difficult to enjoy because of the lack of competitive advantage. The Warriors took three seasons to rebuild after he was gone. The team we have watched in the Finals was built through organic means, save for the Andrew Wiggins trade at the time. What are you going to hate?
Golden State has been seen as the villain of the past few years by those who can't shake it. Others think that Curry chewed his mouthguard. Baby boomers seem to be sensitive to Draymond Green's on-court antics and million dollar smile. There is a lot of overlap of Warriors hatred with a specific kind of Boomer-ish white guy who went all-in on Boston during the Finals.
The Warriors are no longer the greatest team of all time, but they are still the favorites. There were many injuries to Klay Thompson in the two seasons between then and now. The Warriors got the second pick in the 2020 draft. The Warriors are not dependent on any one transaction to regain their competitive edge, as evidenced by the fact that James Wiseman hasn't played a minute this season.
Thompson may be back, but he isn't the same player he used to be. Green has delivered elite defense, playmaking, and leadership but has had a small case of the yips shooting from the perimeter and around the basket. He was good for most of the playoffs, but his clutch shooting was crucial against the Mavs. His struggles seem to be related to the NBA finals. Who would have thought that he would start in the All-Star game? He has excelled on offense and defense while making a case for the Finals Most Valuable Player award. It feels like a long time ago. Curry has put on the greatest playoff run of his career, putting on the Top 5 players in the game discussion.
The haters are still going strong. The Warriors have been able to take blows. They won their second game in a row, this time in Boston, after going down 2-0. They were poised in the fourth quarter because of their championship credentials.
Fans who came of age during the '90s often complain about the amount of complaining that goes on in today's game. Almost all of the Warriors squad doesn't complain to refs. The leader and coach of the team are the ones who channel the team's emotions. The rest of the team can stay out of technical foul trouble and the ref's ire thanks to the use of these two.
The Warriors are not the same team that they used to be. Five of the eight men Kerr has used in the Finals were drafted by the Warriors. The team was able to sign Otto Porter Jr. to a one-year, $2.4 million contract in the off-season. Minny was thought to have won the trade for D'Angelo Russell, as he was known as an empty stat guy who didn't play defense. He is the greatest example of Golden State's development and culture.
What is to dislike? The Warriors went from being a good team to a bad one in three years. The Warriors are one game away from their fourth championship since 2015. This one is definitely the most difficult. Isn't that worthwhile?
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