After two disappointing seasons hindered by injuries and a lack of team chemistry, and a heartbreaking end to a hopeful 2020-2021 season, basketball analysts and fans alike speculated what the Golden State Warriors’ identity would truly be heading into this season. 

While few were optimistic about the Dubs, many others projected the team to be mediocre, as they believed their best years were behind them. However, with their 15-2 start and finding them at the top of the NBA standings, many people are changing their minds about this group playing with a chip on their shoulder.

Varsity Basketball Player Marcellus Edwards ’22 both predicted, “With the early success, I think the Warriors will finish as a top 3 seed in the Western Conference.” 

With this burst of success, taking a look at this underdog group, there have been many key components to this unexpected start. First, from a defensive standpoint, the Warriors have suffocated offenses, as seen with their defensive rating of 100.0 and average of 9.8 steals a game, accredited to spiritual heart of the team, Draymond Green, and key players, such as Andre Iguodala and Gary Payton II, with their unmatched grit and grind. 

On the flashier offensive side, we find Golden State with an average of 112.9 points and 29.3 assists per game, the most in the league, led by the consistent Andrew Wiggins, and a breakout season from Jordan Poole, both averaging 19.1 and 18.4 points per game, respectively. Most of all though, with continued wizardry and dominance, team captain Stephen Curry is on track for his third MVP award of his career, with averages of 28.4 points and 6.6 assists per game.

Warrior-faithful David Lin ’99 said, “Wiggins has always been a great offensive player, and experienced veterans such as Iguodala and Nemanja Bjelica are going to be good. Curry will always be Curry. But my breakout players are Jordan Poole and Gary Payton II.”

However, despite this success, the Bay’s team is not even close to its full potential yet. With rookies Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody slowly orienting themselves with the system, paired with the towering James Wiseman and recovering Splash Brother Klay Thompson set to return, the Warriors will be fully loaded during their revenge journey back to the top.

As Lin exclaimed, “We are going to the ‘ship, hands down! We have some great pieces—it’s gonna be a scary sight.”