Over the past decade, the Golden State Warriors have been the perfect example of success at the highest level. They have won four championships, dating back to 2015, when they won a title in Steve Kerr’s first season at the helm. They then won two titles with Kevin Durant joining the core in 2017 and 2018.
Their last title came in 2022 amidst criticism that they couldn’t get it done again without having Durant in the lineup. It proved that the core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green could still succeed and cemented them as the most dominant trio of the past decade.
“Absolutely, but we’re gonna start with 1. And it’s gonna be this year,” Curry said to Malika Andrews on NBA Today. “Excited about the work that goes into it. We know how to do it, we know how it takes. Just gotta be this team”
The core is motivated to win their fifth ring together
As a trio, Steph, Klay, and Draymond have been phenomenal. They are a complete package as an elite offensive unit and an underrated defensive trio. That has led to them winning four titles, dominating the league with their barrage of three-point shots, off-ball screens, and intelligent movement.
In the interview with Steph, Malika said that Thompson is starting the 2023/24 season by listing down players and teams who have won five championships or more in his locker. That is his way to motivate himself and the other two to win their fifth. That also motivates the rest of the team because they will want to win a title for themselves and help their trio of leaders.
Draymond once said, “The goal isn’t to stop at five; the current goal is just to get to five… I don’t like to necessarily put a number to things, but I don’t see why we can’t win two more championships.”
With that mindset, the Warriors will be tough to deal with. Successful players will work hard to reach their goals when motivated and confident like this. Most NBA fans know what a motivated Warriors team can do, especially with the trio hitting on all cylinders.
What stands in the Warriors’ way?
For the 2023/24 season, the Warriors will be playing in a stacked Western Conference. This season is set to be one of the most competitive campaigns because the Denver Nuggets are defending champions with a target on their back. The Los Angeles Lakers have built a deep squad to help them go against the Nuggets, who swept them in the Conference Finals.
Apart from those two, the Warriors will have to deal with playing the Memphis Grizzlies and the loaded Phoenix Suns, headlined by former Warrior Kevin Durant alongside Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. The Warriors will have their hands full this season, but with a reinforcement like Chris Paul, Golden State has fully leaned into the experience he can bring.
After trading away Jordan Poole, the Warriors are committed to helping Steph and the rest of the trio to maximize their efforts because they might be getting older, but they are still at the peak of their powers.
As the head coach, Kerr has made some interesting tactical adjustments this season. At Media Day, he addressed that he is dividing primary ball-handler duties between Curry, Paul, and Green. That is a vital part of what they’re trying to build this season, and Kerr is excited to see how it helps them become a more potent offensive squad.
This Warriors core has given the NBA their best, and they worked hard to get four rings. However, they are not done playing for a chance to succeed. The NBA world should never count out Curry, Thompson, and Green because they love proving the doubters wrong, which they’ve successfully done in the past.