Golden State Warriors History
The Golden State Warriors are one of the most iconic and successful franchises in professional basketball history. From their origins as the Philadelphia Warriors to the dynasties led by Wilt Chamberlain in the 1960s and Stephen Curry in the 2010s, the Warriors have consistently shaped the evolution of the game. Their innovative style of play, championship success, and commitment to excellence have made them one of the NBA's premier organizations.
The Move to California
The franchise was founded in 1946 as the Philadelphia Warriors, one of the original teams in the Basketball Association of America (BAA). After winning league championships in 1947 and 1956, the franchise relocated to San Francisco following the 1961–62 season.
The move was led by owner Franklin Mieuli, who sought to bring NBA basketball to the rapidly growing West Coast. The team became known as the San Francisco Warriors and continued to feature superstar Wilt Chamberlain, who had just completed his historic 100-point game during the franchise's final season in Philadelphia.
The Wilt Chamberlain Years
The Warriors remained one of the NBA's top attractions thanks to Wilt Chamberlain. During the 1962–63 season, Chamberlain averaged an astonishing 44.8 points and 24.3 rebounds per game, further cementing his place among basketball's greatest players.
In 1965, however, the Warriors traded Chamberlain to the Philadelphia 76ers, ending one of the most remarkable individual eras in NBA history. Although the trade was controversial, it allowed the franchise to begin rebuilding around a more balanced roster.
Rick Barry and the First West Coast Championship
The Warriors selected Rick Barry with the second overall pick in the 1965 NBA Draft. Barry immediately became one of the league's premier scorers, winning NBA Rookie of the Year honors and leading the Warriors to the 1967 NBA Finals.
Although San Francisco lost the championship series to the Philadelphia 76ers, Barry established himself as one of the NBA's brightest stars. After several seasons, including time in the American Basketball Association (ABA), Barry returned to the Warriors in 1972.
In 1971, the franchise changed its name to the Golden State Warriors to better represent the entire state of California rather than a single city.
The 1974–75 season became one of the greatest in franchise history. Led by Rick Barry, Jamaal Wilkes, Clifford Ray, and head coach Al Attles, the Warriors finished with a 48–34 record before stunning the heavily favored Washington Bullets in a four-game sweep to win the NBA championship. Barry was named NBA Finals MVP after averaging nearly 30 points per game during the series.
Years of Struggle
Following the 1975 championship, the Warriors experienced more than three decades of inconsistent success. While the franchise occasionally fielded exciting teams, deep playoff runs proved elusive.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Warriors became known for their entertaining "Run TMC" offense, featuring Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin. Under coach Don Nelson, the trio played one of the fastest and highest-scoring styles in the NBA, earning widespread popularity despite limited postseason success.
The franchise endured another lengthy rebuilding period during the late 1990s and early 2000s, missing the playoffs for 12 consecutive seasons.
"We Believe"
The Warriors returned to national prominence during the 2006–07 season. After earning the eighth seed in the Western Conference, Golden State shocked the basketball world by defeating the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks in six games. Led by Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson, Jason Richardson, and coach Don Nelson, the "We Believe" Warriors became one of the most beloved underdogs in NBA history.
Although they were eliminated in the second round, the team rekindled excitement among Warriors fans and laid the foundation for future success.
The Stephen Curry Era
The modern dynasty began in 2009 when the Warriors selected Stephen Curry with the seventh overall pick in the NBA Draft. Although injuries slowed his early career, Curry's extraordinary shooting ability soon revolutionized professional basketball.
The Warriors added Klay Thompson in 2011 and Draymond Green in 2012, creating one of the greatest cores in NBA history.
Everything changed when Steve Kerr became head coach before the 2014–15 season. Kerr implemented a motion offense emphasizing ball movement, spacing, and three-point shooting, maximizing the talents of Curry, Thompson, and Green.
The Warriors won the 2015 NBA championship by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers, giving the franchise its first title in 40 years.
A Historic 73-Win Season
The 2015–16 Warriors produced one of the greatest regular seasons in sports history, finishing with a 73–9 record and breaking the NBA record of 72 wins previously held by the Chicago Bulls.
Stephen Curry became the first unanimous NBA Most Valuable Player, averaging over 30 points per game while making a then-record 402 three-pointers.
Despite their historic season, the Warriors lost the NBA Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers after surrendering a 3–1 series lead.
The Kevin Durant Era
In the summer of 2016, former MVP Kevin Durant signed with Golden State, creating one of the most talented teams in NBA history.
The Warriors dominated the league over the next three seasons, winning NBA championships in 2017 and 2018 while reaching three consecutive Finals. Durant earned the NBA Finals MVP Award in both championship seasons, while Curry, Thompson, and Green continued to play at an elite level.
The dynasty's pursuit of a third straight championship ended in 2019 when injuries to Durant and Thompson contributed to a Finals loss against the Toronto Raptors.
Return to the Top
Many believed the Warriors' championship window had closed following injuries and roster changes. Instead, Golden State returned to prominence during the 2021–22 season.
Led once again by Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and emerging star Andrew Wiggins, the Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals to win their fourth championship in eight seasons. Curry earned his first NBA Finals MVP Award, completing one of the greatest careers in league history.
Home Arenas
The Warriors have called several arenas home throughout their history. After relocating to California, they played at the Cow Palace before moving to the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, later renamed Oakland Arena, where they played for nearly five decades. In 2019, the franchise moved across the bay to the state-of-the-art Chase Center in San Francisco.
Team Achievements
The Warriors are among the NBA's most decorated franchises. Including their years in Philadelphia, they have won multiple NBA championships spanning three different eras. The franchise has produced numerous Hall of Fame players, coaches, and executives, while Stephen Curry has become the NBA's all-time leader in three-point field goals and one of the most influential players in basketball history.
Legacy
Few franchises have had a greater impact on the evolution of basketball than the Golden State Warriors. The organization helped launch the careers of legends such as Joe Fulks, Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry, and Stephen Curry, while championship teams from 1947, 1956, 1975, and the dynasty of the 2010s each left a lasting mark on the sport. The Warriors' emphasis on unselfish play, floor spacing, and three-point shooting transformed the modern NBA and inspired teams around the world to adopt a faster, more perimeter-oriented style of basketball. Today, the Golden State Warriors remain one of the league's flagship franchises, combining a rich tradition with a commitment to innovation and championship excellence.
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