The Golden State Warriors history began their storied franchise in 1946 in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia. The Franchise relocated in 1962 and was originally the San Fransisco Warriors until 1971 changing to Golden State. Recently known for a talented roster nicknamed “The Splash Brothers” and bringing repeated title appearances and win’s to the bay.
All-Time Golden State Warriors Team
Starting Five
Point Guard – Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry is considered to be the best three-point shooter of all time. The 6’3″ pure shooter, only trails behind Ray Allen, and Reggie Miller in three-point field goals. Averaging 248.3 threes per year in 10 seasons, at this rate Curry will break Allen’s record in three seasons. Described to be a generational player, his style of play revolutionized the game. Acquiring two MVP awards, the second one in 2015-2016, made Curry the first unanimous MVP in NBA history.
In the 2015-2015 season, Curry averaged 30.1 points, 6.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.1 steals. Winning three title rings in five straight title appearances from 2014-2019, Curry has made a home in the playoffs. Holding playoff records in these categories for the Warriors; three-point field goals, assist’s, steals, and total points. In spite of losing in the 2019 NBA Finals, Curry brings the hope of continued success moving forward. This Warrior may go down as the best to ever put on the blue gold after his career ends.
Shooting Gaurd – Klay Thompson
The other Splash Brother, a 6’7″ shooting guard who is considered to have one of the purest shot forms in NBA history. In only eight seasons, currently, the 16th All-Time for three-pointers made averaging 225 three’s per season. Klay Thompson has earned nicknames like “Game 6 Klay“, and explosions in a single quarter. Also known for reliability by playing in 120 straight playoff games, Thompson is an authentic warrior. Owning the record for points in a single quarter at 37, Thompson has already obtained a handful of records himself.
The legendary night he broke the record for most three-pointers in a game. Hitting 14 three’s, exploding for 52 points in 27 minutes only five dribbles. He shares a record with his teammate Stephen Curry for most three’s made in a single playoff’s. So far Thompson has been a three-time champion, five-time NBA All-Star, two-time All-NBA third team, All-Defense second team, and All-Rookie first team. This Warrior will be remembered as one of the best shooting guards to ever play the game when he decides to retire.
Small Forward – Rick Barry
In his first finals appearance as a Warrior, San Francisco lost the series to Philadelphia in six games. Although they lost, Rick Barry had the best finals performance in NBA history at that time. He averaged 40.8 points per game, a finals record until Michael Jordan averaged 41 in the 1993 finals. Barry didn’t return to the finals with the Warriors until the 1975 sweep when the San Fransisco Warriors beat the Washington Bullets. It was the second title in franchise history and of course, Rick Barry was the Finals MVP with another historic finals performance.
The 1975 NBA finals MVP averaged 29.5 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3.5 steals per game. In Barry’s second year as a Warrior, he had his best regular season in his career, averaging 35.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. Playing eight seasons for the Warriors, the Hall of Fame Forward was a deadly free-throw shooter known for his awkward underhand shooting form. At the time, he retired with the best free-throw percentage in NBA history. The number two overall pick in the 1965 NBA Draft is one of the most decorated Warriors in franchise history.
Power Forward – Nate Thurmond
Hall of Fame power forward Nate Thurmond was named as one of the fifty greatest players in NBA history in 1996. On March 8th, 1978 the Warriors retired Thurmond’s number 42. “Big Nate” remains as the Warriors All-Time leading rebounder notching 12,771 rebounds. During the 11 seasons as a Warrior, Thurmond’s career average with the franchise was 17.4 points and 16.9 rebounds. Although Thurmond did not win a title for the franchise, the Hall of Fame power forward had many profound seasons.
Averaging 20.5 points and 22 rebounds, his best year in San Fransisco was the 1967-68 season. The NBA started recording the stat for blocks per game during Thurmond’s final year as a Warrior during the 1973-74 season. At 32 years old, Thurmond averaged 2.9 blocks per game. Also known to be an enforcer on defense, making the NBA All-Defense team five times during his career. Thurmond’s play on both ends of the court was inspired by his mentor and teammate, who is the next Warrior on the list.
Center – Wilt Chamberlain
Arguably, the best player to play in the NBA. Playing six and a half years as a Warrior, Wilt Chamberlain‘s mythical records remain untouched today. One record stands out in particular, the famous 100 point game in the 1961-62 season. Without a doubt, that season was the best of his career averaging 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds per game. Also, another still-standing record playing for the blue and gold was in the 1960-61 season grabbing 55 rebounds. These records are not only Warrior records, but also NBA records.
Chamberlain finding himself with nicknames like “Wilt-The-Stilt” and “Goliath” that he disliked because they mocked at his height. Standing at 7’1″ and 275 pounds, alongside the records he produced, his stature was also an anomaly. His impact on the NBA came on arrival, averaging 37.6 points and 27 rebounds per game his rookie year en route to becoming the first player to win Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player. This Warrior was an unstoppable force whose legacy will never be forgotten and records that may never be touched.
Bench Players
Point Gaurd – Baron Davis
The focal point of the “We Believe” Warriors team who re-wrote NBA playoff history, Baron Davis had a thrilling performance. Defeating the Dallas Mavericks, this 2006-07 Warriors team became the first eighth seed to beat a one seed in a seven-game series. Davis set the tone in game one with a 33 point, 14 rebounds, and eight assist performance. In the four seasons spent with the Warriors, Davis averaged 20.1 points, 8.1 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and two steals. Baron Davis is the battery that energized that 2006-07 team and helped rally a fan base and produce a generation of Warriors fans.
Shooting Guard – Chris Mullin
Apart from playing for the 1992 Olympic “Dream Team“, this Hall of Famer played 12 seasons with the Warriors franchise. Along with being known as the ultimate gym rat, Chris Mullin also had a quick left-handed jump shot. In addition to being apart of the “Run-TMC” Warrior teams, his versatility created comparisons to NBA greats like Larry Bird. Standing at 6’7″, this wing-player averaged 25.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and shot 52.3 percent from the field. Unquestionably a Warriors legend, Mullin retired ranking in 16 different All-Time top ten categories for the Warriors.
Small Forward – Kevin Durant
Although already proven as an elite NBA talent by winning the Most Valuable Player award playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant wanted championships. In this pursuit, he made one of the most controversial free-agency decisions by joining a 73 win Warriors team. In spite of criticism, he achieved Warrior greatness by winning two championships but also earning the NBA Finals MVP in each championship. It should be noted that he only played three years for the franchise but had NBA Finals appearances in all three years. Averaging 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and shooting 52.8 percent from the field in those three seasons, Durant will be a first-ballot Hall of Fame player.
Power Forward – Draymond Green
The Swiss Army knife type of talent is known for superior leadership and defense. Recently signing a four-year extension for $100 million, the Warriors have clearly established how important he is. Draymond Green is not only apart of five straight title appearances from 2014-19 but also the Defensive Player of the Year in 2017. Along with three All-Defensive first-team awards and two All-Defensive third-team awards. When Green decides to retire, his jersey number will be hoisted to the franchise rafters.
Center – Neil Johnston
Playing for the Philadelphia Warriors from 1951-59, Neil Johnston was a force in his day. The 1954-55 season, in particular, stands out the most averaging 22.7 points and 15.1 rebounds. Furthermore, Johnston acquired three scoring titles, one rebound title and led the league in field goal percentage, three times. Not only did he achieve these individual awards, but he helped lead the Warriors to a 1956 NBA title. A phenomenal career landed Johnston into being inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1990.
Main Photo
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