Golden State Warriors NBA Champion Makes Bold Statement Before Season

In this story:
The Golden State Warriors won an NBA championship in 2022. This was the fourth title for Golden State in this dynasty era.
Since defeating the Boston Celtics in the 2022 NBA Finals, the Warriors have won just one playoff series. Falling to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals, Golden State followed that by missing the playoffs entirely last season.
Trending in the wrong direction, the Warriors have very low expectations from the national media. Many outlets have Golden State missing the playoffs again.
Via Bleacher Report: "The prediction is that they finish barely above .500, but give the Warriors a wide variance because of No. 30."

Speaking on 95.7 The Game’s Willard and Dibs show, Warriors guard and 2022 NBA champion Gary Payton pushed back against predictions like this.
“They said in '22 we were on a downfall,” Payton said. “’Warriors are done.' I'm sure they're saying it even more now... I think we're going to shock a lot of people. I think we'll do some damage in the West."
"They said in '22 we were on a downfall. 'Warriors are done.' I'm sure they're saying it even more now...I think we're going to shock a lot of people. I think we'll do some damage in the West."
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) October 3, 2024
GP2 on the GSW's chip on their shoulder (@WillardAndDibs)
🎧 https://t.co/5hTF6AMoL1 pic.twitter.com/kLdDbG7tda
While Payton has a point, this feels different than the 2022 season. While Golden State undoubtedly outperformed expectations that year, they also got an All-Star season from Andrew Wiggins, the long awaited injury return of Klay Thompson, and the best season of Jordan Poole’s career.
Related Articles
Draymond Green's Reaction to Steph Curry's Incredible Shot in USA-France Goes Viral
Boston Celtics Legend Slams Steve Kerr for Controversial Jayson Tatum Decision
Caitlin Clark's Two-Word Reaction to Steph Curry's Performance in USA-France

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.
Follow joeylinn_