2004 Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors are a team with a rich tradition and a history that includes arguably the greatest player in basketball history. The team began in 1947 as the Philadelphia Warriors in the fledgling Basketball Association of America, the predecessor to the NBA. Right away they were proven champions, winning the inaugural league championship. Led by one of the first basketball superstars, Joe Fulks, the Warriors were contenders for many years in the BAA. In 1949, the team made the transition to the NBA but struggled early. The Warriors returned to championship form in 1956 to top the then Fort Wayne Pistons for the NBA crown.

The most famous player in Warrior's history is also among the game's all-time best. In 1959, the Philadelphia Warriors drafted Philadelphia born Wilt "The Stilt" Chamberlain, who averaged over 37 points and 27 rebounds in his rookie season and took Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors. Chamberlain is perhaps most notable for his legendary 100 point performance.

The team went west in 1962 and found a home in California where, despite changing cities, the team has remained ever since. The transition was tough and the team traded Chamberlain in 1965. The years since the move have been filled with glimmers of brilliance, such as the 1975 NBA Championship season, as well as times of disaster, such as 2001, when the Warriors won only 17 of their 82 games.

The Warriors play at The Arena in Oakland, located in Oakland, California. In 2002, the Warriors hired the youngest coach in the NBA, Eric Musselman, to serve as head coach of the struggling franchise. While the record in the early part of the millennium has not been great, the team boasts several marquee players in the Western Conference. Jason Richardson is one of the best scorers in the league. Known most for his mind-boggling slam-dunks, Richardson is the team leader. Eric Dampier provides an inside presence and is a daily double-double threat. Shooter Mike Dunvleavy struggled in 2002, his rookie season. Known primarily for his 3-point shooting while at Duke, Dunleavy has struggled in the NBA. The Warriors look forward to him becoming their deep threat and their go-to guy when they are in need of a big shot.

Oakland is also the home of the Oakland Athletics (A's). Network Associates Coliseum is home to one of the best young teams in all of baseball. Pitchers Barry Zito, Tim Hudson, and Mark Mulder make up one of the best young pitching staffs in Major League Baseball. The Oakland Raiders also play at Network Associates Coliseum. Runners up in the 2003 Super Bowl, the Raiders went on a losing skid in the 2003-2004 season.