The Warriors’ championship culture was once the envy of the league, but chemistry issues last season led to their early exit from the NBA playoffs, just a year shy of winning.
Four-time champion Draymond Green believes Golden State has what it takes to return to the top of the NBA in 2023-24 – under one condition.
“I think the key to this is for everyone to participate,” Green told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Zena Keita on the latest “Dubs Talk.” “If everyone is bought along – and I have no doubt that everyone is bought along – I think we have the pieces we need, the understanding we need, the knowledge we need, the experienced leadership we need need.” it needs.
“I think we have everything it takes to win a championship – if everyone is convinced. I am someone who has taken it for granted that everyone is convinced. And so I have to understand that it doesn’t always look like that, I think. “I think going into this year, there’s just a greater appreciation for those who understand it.”
Golden State was disjointed from the start last season. The team’s chemistry has been affected throughout the season by everything from a preseason altercation between Green and Jordan Poole to a series of untimely injuries and an ugly 11-30 away record.
The Warriors have placed an emphasis on connectivity this season, adding key veterans in free agency like Dario Šarić, Cory Joseph and Chris Paul who can build on the already existing championship core of Green, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson while also serving as mentors for the team’s second unit.
And so far, everyone seems to have settled into their roles — most importantly Paul, a career starting point guard who has said his only goal with the Warriors is to win, no matter what his playing time is.
While there was a disconnect on last season’s roster between older players who know what it takes to win and younger athletes seeking bigger roles to prove themselves, Green believes the current Warriors are on the right track Gone because everyone is on the same page.
“I think to get [everyone bought in] “The second time, you hold on to it as best you can because it’s not normal,” Green said. “But I’ve been here my whole career; I saw a certain thing for 11 years. Seeing it look different was a little unsettling for me, and so I’m glad to know we’re building back on it because you can’t just get it back.
“But I’m happy to know we’re going in the right direction. We have people who are capable of building and actually achieving that goal.”
Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast