Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob isn’t concerned about his team becoming complacent after winning three NBA titles over the past four years. On the contrary, he believes their drive to continue dominating is what should scare opponents.
As he told The Athletic’s Ethan Strauss:
“We’re still really hungry,” Lacob says of the Warriors. “That’s what people should be worried about if they’re going to be worried about anything.”
Any owner, any coach, any player from any dynasty would say something similar. People involved tend to reflect upon, and cop to, the danger of satisfaction after the fact, as opposed to during era-long runs. The Warriors are different. Or rather, they feel different.
Head coach Steve Kerr, having been a part of a dynastic run with the Chicago Bulls, has openly discussed the battle in remaining engaged amid unprecedented dominance. Golden State also has a player in Draymond Green who, I’d bet, would never allow his teammates to slink into states of distraction when it matters most. The entire team is a rare emotional breed; they genuinely seem to get their jollies off of remaining atop the NBA. Klay Thompson is a perfect example. He’s not the most outspoken Warrior, but he thoroughly enjoys winning. He’s not one to suffer from waxing and waning efforts. He does his job. People even expect him to eventually take a pay cut to keep it.
Could the Warriors change in 2018-19? Without question. But the Western Conference’s brutal landscape should keep them on their toes—as may Kevin Durant’s free agency, again, next summer. They’re too seasoned to chase 74 victories. That type of dominance is behind them. They are, however, a squad that looks and feels unbeatable over the course of a seven-game series.
