Warriors Winning
By Eryn Olson
Golden State Warriors fans know up is the only direction their beloved basketball team can go.
They've made the playoffs once since 1994 and finished last season with a 23-43 record. Thanks to new additions and promising prospects, this season has the possibility of being a turnaround year.
"I may not get to brag about having a winning season as much as I would like to, but I do have that hope that at some point, we turn it around and win it all," said freshman Phil Mirenda. "I think it is hope that makes watching the games much more intense and exciting."
Last March, veteran player and team captain Monta Ellis was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. Although it originally drew a lot of criticism and outrage from fans, people are now starting to see the benefits of a rebuilding phase. The Warriors now have depth, something they have lacked in past years.
Point guard Stephen Curry, who recently agreed to a four-year, $44 million extension with the Warriors, will look to lead the team.
Last season's Ellis trade also brought seven-foot Australian center Andrew Bogut to the team. Sophomore Justin Fitzsimmons said, "He can be the quality big man the Warriors have needed for so long."
The Bogut-Curry combo also has solid support around it. Power forward David Lee, averaging close to a double-double most of his career, starts alongside second-year shooting guard Klay Thompson. Golden State is deeper than in recent years, too, with Jarrett Jack, Carl Landry and Richard Jefferson complementing rookies Draymond Green and Festus Ezeli, who both impressed during the preseason.
However, players' health has already proven to be a major concern for the Warriors. Reserve small forward Brandon Rush will miss the rest of the season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during Friday's loss against the Memphis Grizzlies.
While Rush's three-point scoring and tough perimeter defense will be missed, seventh overall pick Harrison Barnes of the University of North Carolina appears to be a good replacement.
Mirenda believes the underdog mentality can only help the Warriors.
"I would rather root for a team that is terrible and pulls off a miraculous comeback than a team that is known for winning with big name players," he said.
Fitzsimmons is eager to see how the young players contribute to the team. "I'm most excited for Harrison Barnes and what he does with his rookie season," he said. "Also, Klay Thompson is really coming into his own and I want to see how he plays his second year."
Warrior fans have the ability to remain hopeful despite their team's history of struggles as the Warrior franchise is consistently among the NBA's top 10 in attendance.
"You take pride in your hometown teams, no matter how bad some of them may be," Mirenda said.
"It's been difficult to root for the Warriors in the past," Fitzsimmons said. "But there are a ton of Warriors fans on campus and I've been talking about going to games with a lot of different people."
Contact Eryn Olson at eolson@scu.edu. The Associated Press contributed to this report.