A Look Back at the Warriors Dynasty
Long before the bold maneuvers brought together Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Kevin Durant, and the sharpshooting Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors were searching for a championship formula. Curry, once seen as a risk due to his ankle injuries, has become a cornerstone of the franchise.
Between 2015 and 2022, Curry and his teammates lifted the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy four times, paving the way for the Warriors to establish themselves as a dominant force in the NBA.
Key figures like Andre Iguodala, Kevon Looney, Andrew Wiggins, and Zaza Pachulia have also contributed to the team’s success over the years. Pachulia, who wrapped up his NBA career in 2019, recently reflected on his time with Golden State.
“It was special,” Pachulia remarked, noting the camaraderie and talent of his teammates, including stars like Curry, Thompson, and Green. He recalled his early days with the team and the overwhelming skill on display during their first practice together. There was so much talent—caregivers like Iguodala and Shaun Livingston excelled too.
Before Curry settled into his role and Steve Kerr took the reins as head coach in 2014, the Warriors faced challenges. Notably, during the 2007 playoffs, the “We Believe” team stunned the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the first round but struggled the following year.
Pachulia commended Kerr for making wise personnel decisions alongside Bob Myers, the Warriors’ general manager until his resignation in 2023. He emphasized the importance of setting clear expectations, especially since things can shift throughout a season.
“I give credit to everyone for the Warriors culture—especially to Steve, Bob, and Steph,” Pachulia said. “In my view, it’s the greatest team ever. Being compared to the Bulls of the ’90s is a huge honor.”
In 2016, the Warriors faced a heartbreaking defeat in the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite winning a record 73 games during the regular season, they couldn’t secure the championship, falling to LeBron James and the Cavs in a decisive Game 7.
However, the following offseason saw the addition of Durant, a four-time scoring champion and the 2014 league MVP, who brought an exceptional shooting ability to the squad. Together, Durant and the Warriors claimed back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018, with Durant earning Finals MVP honors both times.
Pachulia departed the Warriors in 2018, finishing his last season with the Detroit Pistons. Recently, after failing to make the playoffs in the 2022-23 season, questions arose about whether the Warriors’ competitive window had closed. However, Curry dismissed those concerns.
“Dynasties can manifest in various ways,” he told ESPN. “People thought it was over in 2019, but the championship in 2022 proved otherwise. Almost 12 years of sustained relevancy around a particular core is a big deal.”
He added that it’s tough to replicate the success they’ve achieved, particularly given the fluctuating nature of player movements in the league. “As long as Steph is around, he keeps that culture alive,” Pachulia remarked. “No one can change it.”
Pachulia now serves as a basketball operations consultant for the Warriors, who are set to open their 2025-26 season against the Lakers on October 21.
