By Ken Cheng
In an entertainment landscape more jam-packed with quality than ever – all competing for the public’s viewing attention – the Golden State Warriors have accomplished a difficult feat; something that seemed impossible just three years ago: they’ve become must see television. Fifty-six wins in 69 games will do wonders for a team’s watchability, but the multitude of storylines playing out on the court each night for the Warriors have become just as riveting as those on your other TV show addictions. After all, in the last few seasons, the Warriors’ journey has taken them from league afterthought to best team in the NBA. Who needs knights, and dragons, and beheadings when you’re watching Stephen Curry, a basketball prodigy and the ascending prince of the league, trying to lead his team to the Larry O’Brien throne, while mired against warring lords and a resurgent king in the closest MVP race the league has seen in years?
-== Top 11 Steph Curry Moments Of His Career ==-
But as ridiculous as Curry has been this season, he hasn’t been the only reason the Warriors are so captivating. From Cain and Abel to Michael and Fredo, we’ve seen tragedies unfold from brothers torn apart by jealousy and betrayal time and time again. The continued emergence of The Splash Brothers into the most potent backcourt in the league – a development that’s occurred without the cliché backbiting and envy we’ve come to expect from such stories – has been at the top of the most fascinating plot points of the season. As Klay Thompson grows into a unique star in his own right, no one, it seems, has been more supportive of that growth than his more famous backcourt brethren. Notice who it was, gleefully running and hopping down the sidelines as the Warriors ran their “Elevator Doors” play to free Thompson up for his 50thpoint during that now legendary 37-point-quarter?
Then there’s the storyline featuring the unheralded 2nd round pick – who fought against a sea of doubt and misdiagnosed potential to become the “heartbeat” of a now proud franchise while likely earning himself a max contract in the process. Simply put, the Warriors would not be playing at near historic levels without Draymond Green. Hell, they probably wouldn’t be doing this if Draymond Green were still only playing 22 minutes a game like he did last season. Green’s evolution into a real offensive threat – from beyond the arc and, lately, as a one man fast break – has transformed his game beyond that of valuable, but limited, defensive stopper. He’s morphed into an all around force — with career highs, this season, in minutes played, points scored, FG%, 3P%, 2P%, FT%, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, true shooting, VORP, offensive win shares, defensive win shares, PER, and just about any other major stat, traditional or advanced, you want to name. Know what else should come with that rightfully earned max contract and Defensive Player of the Year Award? A Most Improved Player of the Year award. There are, of course, other stories to consider – the arrival of the new head coach and his immediate impact on the team, the redemption of Harrison Barnes after a lost season, and the marginalization of David Lee, former face of the franchise. There is no end to the compelling plot lines making this Warriors season so historic.
Good shows often need time to turn into great ones. Consider some of your favorite shows of all time and there’s a good chance many, if not most, began reaching their apex sometime in or around Season 3. That’s how long it can take for writers, directors, and actors to find their footing, cohere, and find that peak gear. The same can be said of this basketball team. Forty-seven wins, then 51, and now 56-and-counting – this Warriors show is beginning to reach its apex right in front of our eyes. Whether the team is rewarded for its growth with a title and a litany of individual awards, this season, is almost immaterial to the point. What we’ve been watching since October, and what we’ll continue to watch until there are no games left to play in the 2014-’15 postseason, is the best Warriors team most of us have seen in our lifetimes. And frankly, there’s nothing else I’d rather be watching on TV right now.
NOTE: Speaking of TV, I write for a new comedy called SIN CITY SAINTS – about the colorful characters making up the first pro basketball team in Las Vegas – and it premieres today on Yahoo! Screen. Please check out all 8 episodes of the show – including episode 4, which I wrote – HERE or at Yahoo.com/SinCitySaints . Thanks!
my sentiments exactly!!!