2009 Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors 3rd place finish in the Pacific Division last season wasn’t quite enough to get them to the playoffs, but they’re starting the 2009-10 season loaded with talent. Monta Ellis, Stephen Jackson, Corey Maggette, Andris Biedrins, Anthony Randolph and the newly added Stephen Curry bring lots of offensive power to the Warriors – that is, if they can stay healthy. Last year they were plagued by a ridiculous amount of injuries, but it’s highly unlikely that will happen again, so expect improvement from the team this season. And yes, their defense is a little weak, but they are counting on their stellar offense to make up for it. Will the 2009-10 season mark a return to the playoffs? We think so, but the team will need supportive fans to do it. So go ahead, get your Oracle Arena tickets and help cheer the Warriors on to a winning season!

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 Oracle Arena, 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. By 2004, Mike Montgomery, a rookie coach, took the reins. In August 2006, he was replaced by Don Nelson, who had been the Warriors head coach from 1988 to 1995.

Oakland is also the home of the Oakland Athletics (A's). Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum is home to one of the best young teams in all of baseball. The Oakland Raiders also play at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Runners-up in the 2003 Super Bowl, the Raiders went on a losing skid in the 2003 and 2004 seasons.