The Warriors open the season in Portland on Wednesday, October 23.
Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) talks with forward Draymond Green against the Miami Heat during an NBA basketballAP
Ask 9 out of 10 people who the most important player in Warriors history is, and they’ll likely answer Stephen Curry. The greatest shooter of all time, Curry is a 4x NBA Champion, 2x MVP, 10x All-NBA, 2x Scoring Champ, and an Olympic gold medalist, among many other achievements. His 15 seasons with Golden State have solidified his place not only as the franchise’s cornerstone but as one of the best in basketball history. Still, some might argue that Wilt Chamberlain, with his record 100-point game, or Klay Thompson, Curry’s long-time backcourt partner and a former defensive force, deserve consideration.
Draymond Green and the Leaked Video Incident
There are also fans who would claim Draymond Green holds the heart of the team. Green, the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year, is known for being the defensive anchor of the Warriors and a player you love if he’s on your team, but hate to face. However, his technical fouls and frequent controversies on and off the court have divided even his own fanbase. One of the biggest controversies erupted from a leaked video showing Green attempting to fight Jordan Poole in 2021. In the clip, Green appears furious, being held back by teammates and coaches, looking like a bull ready to charge at Poole.
That video foreshadowed what happened the next season, during the Warriors’ 2022 offseason, when Green famously punched Jordan Poole. Tensions had clearly been building for some time. Poole, drafted in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft, played a key role in the team’s 2022 title run against the Boston Celtics. Poole was a surprise factor in those playoffs, averaging 17 points and nearly 4 assists in 27 minutes per game, finishing fourth in that year’s Most Improved Player voting, which was won by Ja Morant.
Looking Ahead: Warriors’ Upcoming Season
The new NBA season begins in 33 days, and while it may not seem long, it’s just over a month before we see another highly competitive year unfold. The Warriors will have a different look with Klay Thompson gone, marking the end of the iconic Big Three era with Curry and Green. To fill the void, Buddy Hield or second-year player Brandin Podziemski might step up. Podziemski is likely to see more minutes and earn coach Steve Kerr’s trust. With Curry, Wiggins, Kuminga, and Green leading the way, the team may seem weaker than last year, but with Curry, the Warriors are always contenders.
