The Golden State Warriors are chasing unprecedented history this season, and that quest for history could be seen as something that forces them to run out of steam before the end of the season even gets here. It could be a detriment towards long term success, but if you ask them, they’ll tell you a different story.
In their mind, and it does make some sense, the quest for 73 wins has been one that has helped them on certain nights rather than hurt them. It’s been one of the driving forces behind their overarching success all season long, and it’s something that shouldn’t be seen as wearing them out. It’s only motivating.
From CSN Bay Area’s Monte Poole:
“I don’t think our players are feeling pressure for the record,” [head coach Steve] Kerr says. “They would like to get it. That’s one of the things that’s been driving us and helping us to win on nights when maybe we don’t have it. It’s probably been helpful, more than anything. But I don’t think there will be tears shed if we don’t get it,” he adds. “I don’t think it’ll be devastating. But it’s something our guys want to do.”
As coach Steve Kerr has said, it probably has been helpful to them on some nights. It’s the one thing that is constantly in their heads when facing competition that shouldn’t be beating them. Sure, the Warriors have had a tough loss here and there to woeful teams, most notably to the Los Angeles Lakers, but the chase has inspired them.
Whether or not they get 73 wins might not even matter in the grand scheme of things because a second straight championship would further cement their legacy in the basketball world. Their greatness is better summed up with that than a record, but that record is right there for the taking.