Draymond Green thinks that the Golden State Warriors WILL win 3/4 championships over the next four years. That’s a really bold prediction coming from a guy who is will turn 33 in March. I must say, I find it highly unlikely the Warriors will win three more titles in four years. But can they repeat the 2021/22 championship next year? I think so.
Coming into this season, there was only a small number of people who actually thought this Warriors dynasty could win another title. With key injuries to Klay Thompson, Steph Curry, and Draymond Green pilling up over these past few years, many believed it was time for the dynasty to be broken up. Especially with Green, Curry, and Thompson all over the age of 31.
Clearly, the Warriors had other ideas as they dominated the West all season long, returned to the playoffs after two years, and brushed past the Grizzlies, Nuggets, and Mavericks to win a 4-2 Finals series over the Boston Celtics. Now, this would be a great comeback story for the dynasty if it ended here. But I’m positive it won’t.
Apart from being known as the sole dominating force in NBA during the 2010’s and now early 2020’s, the Warriors have always been regarded as superior drafters.
The Warriors “Big 3” of Draymond Green, Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson are all “home-grown” talents, with each player playing their entire career in the Bay Area. For a team to have drafted all three of their “Big 3” stars in the “Superteam” era and win multiple championships with them is incredible and unheard of.
Plus, the Warriors have already begun their second homegrown “Big 3”. Jonathan Kuminga (Drafted: 2021, 7th), Jordan Poole (Drafted: 2019, 28th), and James Wiseman (Drafted: 2020, 2nd) all have the potential and capability to transcend their, respective, games and replace the original homegrown “Big 3” in a few years’ time.
As for next season, however, these three players will determine if the Warriors can repeat next season. Especially Kuminga and Wiseman.
Since being drafted, James Wiseman has only played 39/164 possible NBA games. Nevertheless, Wiseman has put up respectable numbers in those 39-games played, posting 11.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 0.7 BPG, and 0.3 SPG.
Pretty good numbers for technically a rookie player as he has yet to play half of an NBA season. With Otto Porter Jr. leaving in the offseason, it is up to Wiseman to fill the vacant center/power forward position he left behind.
Kumniga, on the other hand, played in the majority (70/82) of the games last season, which was his rookie year. In a very limited role (only averaging 16.9 Min/Gm), Kuminga was very effective, scoring 9.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and shot 51.3% from the field. I think what Steve Kerr said about him and Kawaii Leonard’s first season was very accurate as both players were drafted into dynasties and had/have to play behind legends.
With Gary Payton III gone, I’d expect Kuminga to have a much bigger role next season. If Kuminga can produce 50% more scoring, rebounds, assists, etc., or even double, what he did last season, then I’d say the Warriors should be heavy favorites to emerge from the West again.
There is not much to be said about Jordan Poole. He had a massive breakout season last year, playing a huge part in the Warriors’ championship win. Coming off a year scoring 18.4 PPG, Steve Kurr and the Warriors’ upper management can’t ask much more from Poole. Those are stats star NBA players would kill for.
If those three young players can step up (or stay up in Jordan Poole’s case), then I don’t see why the Warriors can’t win another title next year. They may even be able to win 2/4 in the next four years if the original “Big 3” can stay healthy and consistent.
Only time will tell.
Images Source:
Other Sources: (NBC News) (Why Steve Kerr sees Jonathan Kuminga, Kawhi Leonard rookie comparisons | RSN (nbcsports.com))
