Golden State Warriors facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Golden State Warriors
Nickname	Dub Nation
Conference	Western
Division	Pacific
Founded	1946
History	Philadelphia Warriors 1946–1962 San Francisco Warriors 1962–1971 Golden State Warriors 1971–present
Arena	Chase Center
Location	San Francisco, California
Team colors	Royal blue, yellow
Main sponsor	Rakuten
President	Brandon Schneider
General manager	Mike Dunleavy Jr.
Head coach	Steve Kerr
Ownership	Joe Lacob (majority) Peter Guber
Affiliation(s)	Santa Cruz Warriors
Championships	7 (1947, 1956, 1975, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022)
Conference titles	7 (1975, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022)
Division titles	12 (1948, 1951, 1956, 1964, 1967, 1975, 1976, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Retired numbers	7 (6, 13, 14, 16, 17, 24, 42)
Association Icon Statement

The Golden State Warriors are a professional basketball team from San Francisco, California. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team is part of the Western Conference and the Pacific Division.

The Warriors started in 1946 in Philadelphia. They were first called the Philadelphia Warriors. In 1962, the team moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and became the San Francisco Warriors. Then, in 1971, they changed their name to the Golden State Warriors. Today, their home games are played at the Chase Center.

The Warriors won their first championship in 1947, when the league was called the Basketball Association of America (BAA). They won again in 1956 with famous players like Paul Arizin, Tom Gola, and Neil Johnston. In 1975, led by Rick Barry and Jamaal Wilkes, they won their third championship. This win was a big surprise to many.

The team had some tough years in the 1980s. But in the late 1980s and early 1990s, stars like Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin (known as "Run TMC") made them exciting to watch.

More recently, with amazing players like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, the Warriors became champions again in 2015. In 2016, they set an NBA record with 73 wins in the regular season. They lost in the Finals that year. After Kevin Durant joined, they won two more championships in 2017 and 2018. They reached the Finals five times in a row from 2015 to 2019. In 2022, they won another championship, making it four titles in eight seasons.

The Warriors are sometimes called the "Dubs." They hold several NBA records, including the best regular season record ever. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are known as the "Splash Brothers" for their incredible shooting. The Warriors have the third most NBA championships and Finals appearances in league history. Only the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics have more.

History of the Golden State Warriors

Starting in Philadelphia (1946–1962)

Joe Fulks was the league's first scoring champion.

The Warriors began in 1946 as the Philadelphia Warriors. They were one of the first teams in the Basketball Association of America (BAA). Eddie Gottlieb, a basketball expert, was their first coach and general manager. The team was named after an older Philadelphia basketball team.

With their star player Joe Fulks, the Warriors won the first BAA championship in 1947. The NBA, which formed later, counts this as its first championship. Gottlieb bought the team in 1951.

The Warriors won their second championship in Philadelphia in 1956. Key players from this time were Paul Arizin, Tom Gola, and Neil Johnston.

The Wilt Chamberlain Years (1959–1965)

Wilt Chamberlain averaged 41.5 points per game and 25.1 rebounds per game during his five and a half seasons with the Warriors.

In 1959, the team signed Wilt Chamberlain, a truly special player. He was known as "Wilt the Stilt." Wilt led the team in scoring many times and broke many NBA scoring records. On March 2, 1962, Wilt scored an amazing 100 points in one game against the New York Knicks. This is still an NBA record!

In 1962, the team moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and became the San Francisco Warriors. They played games in different cities like Daly City, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.

Before the 1963–64 season, the Warriors drafted Nate Thurmond. With Chamberlain, they won their division but lost the 1964 NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics. In 1965, Chamberlain was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. The team then had a tough season, winning only 17 games.

The Thurmond and Barry Era (1965–1978)

Nate Thurmond averaged over 20 points per game during five different seasons and over 20 rebounds per game during two seasons while with the Warriors.

In 1965, the Warriors drafted Rick Barry. He was named NBA Rookie of the Year. Barry led the team to the 1967 NBA Finals, where they lost to Wilt Chamberlain's 76ers.

Rick Barry (shown in 1976) was named the NBA Finals MVP in 1975.

Barry left the team for a few years but came back in 1972. During his absence, Nate Thurmond, Jeff Mullins, and Rudy LaRusso led the team. The Warriors started playing more games in Oakland. In 1971, they officially became the Golden State Warriors to represent all of California. Oakland Arena became their main home court.

The Warriors made the playoffs often from 1971 to 1977. In 1975, they won their first NBA championship on the West Coast. This was a huge upset, as they swept the favored Washington Bullets. Former Warrior Al Attles coached the team, and Rick Barry was named the Finals MVP.

In the 1975–76 season, the Warriors had the best record in the league. However, they were upset by the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals.

Tough Times and "Run TMC" (1978–1997)

After losing key players, the Warriors struggled in the late 1970s and 1980s. They drafted some talented players like Purvis Short, Joe Barry Carroll, and Robert Parish. However, many players left the team for various reasons.

In 1986, George Karl became the new coach. The team started to improve. In 1987, point guard Sleepy Floyd had an amazing game against the Los Angeles Lakers, scoring 29 points in one quarter.

New coach Don Nelson arrived and created an exciting, high-scoring team in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This team featured Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin. They were nicknamed "Run TMC" because of their fast-paced style. This trio played together for two seasons.

In 1993–94, with rookie Chris Webber and Latrell Sprewell, the Warriors made the playoffs. However, problems between players and the coach led to changes. The team struggled again for several years.

The "We Believe" Era (1997–2009)

The Warriors went through many changes in coaches and players. They drafted Jason Richardson, who became a star scorer. With Richardson, Antawn Jamison, and Gilbert Arenas, the team showed promise but couldn't reach the playoffs.

In 2003, Chris Mullin became the executive vice president of basketball operations. He aimed to build a winning team. In 2005, the team acquired point guard Baron Davis, who brought superstar energy.

In the 2006–07 season, the Warriors had the longest streak without making the playoffs (12 seasons). But with new coach Don Nelson back and a trade for players like Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson, the team became more athletic. Their slogan became "We Believe."

The Warriors finished the season strong and made the playoffs as the 8th seed. They then shocked everyone by beating the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the first round. This was a huge upset, as the Warriors played with incredible energy and passion. They lost to the Utah Jazz in the next round.

In 2007–08, the Warriors had a good record (48–34) but still missed the playoffs. This was because the Western Conference was very strong that year.

The Stephen Curry Era (2009–Present)

Building a New Team (2009–2014)

The Warriors drafted future superstar point guard Stephen Curry in 2009. In 2010, new owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber bought the team. They also changed the team's logo and uniforms to a modern version of their classic "The City" look, featuring the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

The team continued to struggle with injuries. In 2011, Mark Jackson became the new head coach. The Warriors drafted Klay Thompson in 2011. Curry and Thompson became known as the "Splash Brothers" for their amazing three-point shooting.

The "Splash Brothers": Stephen Curry (left) and Klay Thompson (right)

In the 2012 NBA draft, the Warriors picked Harrison Barnes, Festus Ezeli, and Draymond Green. These players, along with Curry and Thompson, formed the core of a new, strong team. Curry also signed a contract extension, which turned out to be a great deal for the team.

The 2012–13 Warriors had one of their best starts in years. They made the playoffs for the first time since 2007. They defeated the Denver Nuggets in the first round but lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the second. Stephen Curry set a new NBA record for most three-pointers in a season with 272.

In 2013, the Warriors signed Andre Iguodala. They also continued to set records for three-point shooting. Curry and Thompson combined for 484 three-pointers, breaking their own record from the year before. The team finished the 2013–14 season with 51 wins, a great achievement.

The Dynasty Years (2014–2019)

In 2014, Steve Kerr became the new head coach. He was a five-time NBA champion as a player. Under Kerr, the Warriors had an amazing 2014–15 season, winning a team-record 67 games. Stephen Curry was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP).

The Warriors swept the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the playoffs. They then defeated the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets to reach their first NBA Finals since 1975. They faced the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Warriors won the championship in six games, and Andre Iguodala was named Finals MVP. Coach Kerr became the first rookie coach to win a title since 1982.

Draymond Green was an All-NBA Second Team member in 2015–16.

The 2015–16 season was historic. The Warriors started by winning their first 24 games, the best start in NBA history. They also set an NBA record with 54 consecutive home wins. On April 13, 2016, Golden State set the NBA record for most wins in a single season, finishing with an incredible 73–9 record. Stephen Curry won his second straight MVP award, becoming the first player to win it by a unanimous vote.

The Warriors reached the NBA Finals again, facing the Cleveland Cavaliers. They led the series 3–1 but lost in seven games. This was a tough loss for the team.

In July 2016, Kevin Durant, a former MVP, signed with the Warriors. This made the team even stronger. Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson were all named to the 2017 NBA All-Star Game.

The Warriors had another great season in 2016–17, winning 67 games. They had an amazing playoff run, winning their first 12 games. They defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, and San Antonio Spurs. In the 2017 NBA Finals, they faced the Cavaliers for the third year in a row. The Warriors won the championship in five games, with a playoff record of 16 wins and only 1 loss.

In 2018, the Warriors won 58 games and reached the Finals for the fourth straight year, again against the Cavaliers. The Warriors swept the Cavaliers 4–0 to win their second straight NBA championship. Many people started calling the Warriors a "dynasty" because of their success.

The Warriors returned to the Finals in 2019 but lost to the Toronto Raptors. During this series, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson suffered serious injuries.

Moving to San Francisco and Injury Challenges (2019–2021)

In 2019, the Warriors moved to a new arena in San Francisco called Chase Center. They kept the name Golden State Warriors.

After the 2019 Finals, Kevin Durant left the team. The Warriors traded for D'Angelo Russell. However, Klay Thompson missed the entire 2019–20 season due to his injury. Stephen Curry also broke his hand early in the season. These injuries caused the team to struggle, and they finished with the worst record in the league.

In the 2020 NBA draft, the Warriors picked James Wiseman. But before the 2020–21 season began, Klay Thompson suffered another serious injury, meaning he would miss a second straight season. Stephen Curry had an amazing season, leading the league in scoring. However, the Warriors missed the playoffs for the second year in a row after losing in the play-in tournament.

Championship Glory Returns (2021–2022)

In the 2021 NBA draft, the Warriors selected Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. They also re-signed Stephen Curry to a big contract.

In April 2022, the Warriors made the playoffs for the first time since 2019. They defeated the Denver Nuggets and the Memphis Grizzlies. On May 26, 2022, the Warriors reached their seventh NBA Finals by beating the Dallas Mavericks. On June 16, 2022, the team won their seventh NBA title, defeating the Boston Celtics 4–2. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala all won their fourth championship together.

Recent Seasons (2022–Present)

The 2022–23 season was challenging due to many injuries to key players like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. Despite this, the Warriors showed great determination. They finished with a 44–38 record and made the playoffs.

In the first round, they defeated the Sacramento Kings in a tough seven-game series. This was the first time these two California teams met in the playoffs. However, the Warriors then lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games in the second round. This was their first playoff loss before the Finals under coach Steve Kerr.

Logos and Uniforms

Early Uniforms: Philadelphia and San Francisco

When the team was in Philadelphia, their uniforms usually had "PHILA" on the front. They were white at home and blue on the road, with some gold and red colors.

When they moved to San Francisco in 1962, their uniforms were similar. They later changed to a design known as "The CITY" uniform. This design featured a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge and a cable car.

Golden State Era Uniforms

In 1971, when they became the Golden State Warriors, their uniforms showed "Golden State" above a circle with the outline of California. This design was used for many years.

In 1988, for the "Run TMC" era, the uniforms were updated with the team name written diagonally across the front.

From 1997 to 2010, the Warriors changed their colors to dark navy blue, bright gold, and orange. Their uniforms featured lightning bolt designs.

In 2010, the Warriors returned to a classic look, similar to "The CITY" uniform. This time, their logo featured the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge. They also introduced sleeved alternate uniforms.

Since 2017, with Nike as their uniform maker, the Warriors have kept their main blue and white uniforms. They also have special "City" uniforms each year that pay tribute to different parts of their history or the Bay Area community. For example, some uniforms honored Oakland, while others celebrated the Chinese American community or women in basketball.

Rivalries

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers have a big rivalry that started in 2015. They played each other in the NBA Finals for four years in a row! This was the first time in NBA history that two teams met in the Finals so many times in a row. The Warriors won three of those four championships.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers have a long history because both teams moved to California in the early 1960s. While there's a rivalry, there's also a lot of respect between the teams and their fans. This rivalry has grown stronger recently, especially since LeBron James joined the Lakers.

Sacramento Kings

The Warriors and the Sacramento Kings have a local rivalry because their cities are only 86 miles apart. Even though both teams have been in California for a long time, they didn't meet in the playoffs until 2023. That series was very intense, with the Warriors winning in seven games. It was a very popular series to watch on TV.

Media Coverage

Television

Bob Fitzgerald is the main TV announcer for the Warriors. Former player Kelenna Azubuike provides color commentary. They broadcast many games on NBC Sports Bay Area. They also host pre-game and post-game shows.

Jim Barnett, another former Warrior player, used to be the TV color analyst. Now, he works full-time on the radio.

Radio

Tim Roye has been the radio announcer for the Warriors since 1995. He is joined by former Warrior Tom Tolbert for home games. Jim Barnett also joins the radio team for all games.

All Warriors games are broadcast on KGMZ's 95.7 The Game. After each game, the announcers discuss the game and preview the next one.

Season-by-season record

List of the last five seasons completed by the Warriors. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Golden State Warriors seasons.

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Winning percentage

Home Arenas

The Warriors have played in many different arenas throughout their history:

• Philadelphia Arena (1946–1962)
• Philadelphia Convention Hall (1952–1962)
• Cow Palace (1962–1964, 1966–1971, and two games in 1975 NBA Finals)
• San Francisco Civic Auditorium (1964–1966)
• Oakland Coliseum Arena/The Arena in Oakland/Oracle Arena (1971–2019)
• Chase Center (2019–present)

Head Coaches

Key Personnel

Current Roster

Retired Numbers

Golden State Warriors retired jerseys

The Warriors honor special players by retiring their jersey numbers. This means no other player on the team can wear that number again.

Notes:

• ¹ The NBA retired Bill Russell's No. 6 for all teams in 2022.
• ² Includes Chamberlain's time in Philadelphia.
• ³ Includes Meschery's time in Philadelphia.
• ⁴ Includes Attles' time in Philadelphia. He also coached the team.
• ⁵ Also worked as the team's general manager.

Hall of Fame Players and Coaches

Many former Warriors players and coaches are in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This means they are recognized as some of the greatest people in basketball history.

Team Leaders and Awards

Career Leaders

These are the players who have the best statistics for the Warriors over their entire careers.

Individual Awards

Many Warriors players and coaches have won important NBA awards.

NBA All-Star Weekend

Many Warriors players have been chosen to play in the NBA All-Star Game. Some have also won contests during All-Star Weekend.

Images for kids

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  Wilt Chamberlain playing for the Warriors.

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  Joe Fulks was an early scoring champion for the Warriors.

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  Nate Thurmond was a key player for the Warriors for many years.

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  Rick Barry led the Warriors to a championship in 1975.

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  Stephen Curry, a two-time MVP for the Warriors.

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  Klay Thompson, part of the "Splash Brothers" duo.

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  Draymond Green, a strong defensive player for the Warriors.

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  Retired jerseys hanging in the Warriors' arena.

See also

In Spanish: Golden State Warriors para niños