Is This A No-Excuse Season For The Warriors?
Don’t look now, but the 2023 NBA season is just around the corner, with teams reporting for training camp a little over a month away on September 27th. The NBA is a rollercoaster with many ups and downs, twists and turns, but the Golden State Warriors are a team that needs a calm season with no altercations distracting the team from their main goal: Winning another title.
The Warriors have had an eventful offseason, benefiting their championship core by bringing in veteran players to the fold to improve their basketball IQ and connectivity throughout the year. By adding impact players at the request of the championship core, Golden State is set up for a bounce-back season.
After a disappointing season, they have regrouped, adding players who fit their organizational culture and style of play, and look to be hungry and motivated to get back to the top of the NBA. One Warriors player who is hungry and motivated is Klay Thompson.
"Last year, I definitely had a bad taste in my mouth still, but that’s not the worst thing because, no, I’m hungrier than ever, and I want to get back to that mountain top," Thompson said on Podcast P with Paul George.
There was a lot to takeaway from Klay going on Paul George's podcast, which can be seen on Youtube. Hunger and motivation will be a major part of the team's theme for next season. Many key people within the organization—Kerr, Curry, and Thompson—have made it a priority to focus and get back to winning a championship and continuing their dynastic run. Now there is one thing to say: a team is hungry and motivated to win another championship, but the difficult part is putting words into action. It starts with all being on the same page as an organization.
"I know Andrew, Steph, Dray, CP, and I, and the rest of the guys, are hungry. We’re trying to set up some mini-camps before the season, but we’re all on the same page; we've got another ring in us," Thompson said of expectations for the season.
From Draymond punching Jordan Poole in training camp to their 11-30 road record to their second-round exit to the Los Angeles Lakers after being the higher seed, there was a clear disconnect all season within the organization.
A majority of the disconnect from last season came from players' and executives' personal agendas shadowing the season, Bob Myers’ future being in limbo, Draymond wanting a max contract, and the young players potentially being traded.
Heading into this upcoming season, there seems to be a clear consensus that the main agenda and priority is to get back to their championship ways and compete for a chance to win another championship.
With the addition of Chris Paul, Corey Joseph, and Dario Saric, signing Green to a four-year contract extension, and promoting Dunleavy Jr. to general manager, the many agendas from last season have been addressed, and the organization can focus on the main goal of prioritizing winning a fifth championship and solidifying their status in the NBA record books as one of the greatest dynasties to ever step foot on the hardwood.
There are no distractions, no agendas, and no physical alterations between teammates, and the tension is gone. The organization made moves per request from their championship core to bring in older veteran players who know how to play the game the right way and who fit into their culture, and by doing so, there are no excuses this season for the team to get back to their winning ways and being a championship contender.
(Photo credit: Jose Carlos Fajardo / Associated Press)