Like many NBA teams the Golden State Warriors have endured times of success and times of struggles. Founded in 1946, the Warriors are one of the oldest franchises in NBA history and their history is littered with Hall-of-Famers and great players.
In the inaugural season of the BAA (Basketball Association of America) the Philadelphia Warriors defeated the Chicago Stags in the Finals. By the 1955-56 season, now a team in the newly merged NBA, the Warriors won their second championship as the Philadelphia Warriors by defeating Fort Wayne Pistons in five games. Players of this era included Hall-of-Famers Paul Arizin, Michael Bryson and Neil Johnston. In 1959, the Warriors drafted Wilt Chamberlain.In six seasons with the Warriors, Chamberlain would go on to shatter several records until he was traded in the 1964-65 season.
In 1962, the Philadelphia Warriors were transferred to San Diego. They would still be contenders for a brief period in the 60s, but they wouldn't win a championship until they were transferred to Golden State in 1971.
In 1975, the Warriors won the championship in what was deemed by many as the greatest upsets in NBA Finals history. The Washington Bullets were heavyily favored but they were swept by Golden State. It was one of the greatest upsets in NBA history. The team was led by Rick Barry, Rookie of the Year Jamaal Wilkes, and Phil Smith. This would be the last championship run for the Warriors and what would follow would be an era of failed potential and disappointments from the late 70's to the late 80s.
Despite acquiring a core of standout players in Purvis Short, Eric "Sleepy" Floyd and Joe Barry Carroll, the team never capitalized on their potential. They did found a diamond in the rough when they drafted Chris Mullin in 1985. They would experience some great highs and lows for many years with Mullin running the show. They would make a playoff run one year, only to follow it up with a disappointing losing season.
The Golden State Warriors of the modern era haven't faired very well even though they had exciting players like Baron Davies, Jason Richardson, Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison. They failed to make the playoffs for 12 years until finally making it back to the postseason in 2007. They beat the top seeded Dallas Mavericks in the first round, but would lose to the Utah Jazz in the next round.
The greatest Golden State Warriors of all time would go to the 1975 Golden State Warrior team. They were written off by everyone, even their fans, but they proved that a team with a lot of heart could win it all despite all the odds stacked against them.
