There is not much going for this franchise. "Nellieball" is on its way out, and these Warriors will have to play under an actual offensive system under newly hired head coach, Keith Smart. Players like Monte Ellis, Andres Biedrins, and Anthony Morrow who "grew" under Coach Nelson's unique style of basketball, where a fast break offense is more heavily stressed than tough-nosed defense, will definitely have a difficult time adjusting. Though it seems the power of the NBA has shifted to the East, the Warriors still have to do something about their 26-56 record from last season. And implementing a coaching change, going through a major roster shuffle during the offseason, and being in the same conference as the two-time champion Los Angeles Lakers do not help their situation one bit.
But their fans still remain extremely loyal to their team. Even during difficult and losing seasons, the fans sell out the Oakland Arena. Even when the Lakers bandwagon seems so tempting, Warriors fan remain loyal to their team. Even when a Warriors fan attends the University of Southern California, he still firmly believes and will argue 'til the death of him that the Warriors are a better ball club than the Lakers. This loyalty and absolute support for one's home team should not go unnoticed; these fans like being the underdog. They like facing teams that are expected to win because a victory for Golden State is that much sweeter. And what's interesting is that amidst all of the changes that is happening to the Golden State Warriors, its fans and its team are one in the same: underdogs with a purpose and a dream to prove everyone wrong.
1). David Lee: Undersized to play center at 6'9''. Not quick and adept like most of the power forwards these days to play that position. He doesn't really have any offensive moves off the dribble or in the post that is reliable. But he still averages double-figures in points and rebounds through tough-nosed defense, hard work, and an unmatched effort that is almost nonexistent from any NBA player for 48 minutes in a game; however, these averages haven't earned him any All-Star selections.
2). Stephen Curry: The lingering question that's been with him since his collegiate days at Davidson still haunt him to this day: Is he a point guard or a shooting guard? He's too much of a pure shooter to be an actual point guard. A shooter of his abilities should have a point guard assisting him, or his strengths as a shooter won't be utilized fully. And his 6'3", 185 pound stature cannot compete with shooting guards today who are at least 6'6", 210 pounds.
3). Keith Smart: He is taking the reins of Don Nelson, who is the all-time winningest coach in NBA history. If those aren't big shoes to fill, I don't know what is.
4). Jeremy Lin: The first Asian-American to play in the NBA. That simple statement is enough to make him an underdog, but let's delve through other factors. He took Palo Alto High School to the CIF Division II State title but didn't receive a single Division I scholarship. Cal, Stanford, and UCLA wanted him to walk-on to their teams but none of them guaranteed him a spot. He played basketball at Harvard for four years but his basketball career stops there. He's not the flashiest, quickest, or most athletic basketball player, but his total understanding of the game of basketball gets him by even some of his draft class' best.
These individuals have proved everything, but in the eyes of their critics, have proved nothing. Golden State fans have proved that they will support their team no matter what, but their undying loyalty hasn't gotten their team anywhere. This is what the term "underdog" means at its finest - you have nothing more to prove, but all the world to gain.
- Leather Head
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