The Warriors have had a multitude of representatives participate in various All-Star events of the last few seasons.
David Lee was a reserve for the West in 2013, Stephen Curry competed in the Skills Challenge and Three-Point as well as earn the starting point guard spot last season as well as this season, Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes were in the Skills Challenge with the latter also in the dunk contest last season.
For decades, members of the Warriors invited to All-Star weekend were nothing more than sideshow acts before the main event on Sunday. They were present, some even making a name for themselves during the weekend’s festivities (Jason Richardson), but like the franchise itself, they were largely ignored.
Now, with the best record in the league, a returning All-Star starter, a newly crowned starter as well as their coaching staff joining them for the ride, Golden State is not only the highlight of this weekend in New York but have been for the entirety of the NBA season.
Curry led the NBA in All-Star voting this season and is the frontrunner for MVP while leading his team to a 42-9 record. Klay Thompson, often considered the Robin to Curry’s Batman, is now building his own superhero resumé: highlighted by a 37-point quarter against the Sacramento Kings last month, Thompson is now his own entity, earning his first All-Star selection and will start alongside Curry at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
“It’s pretty special and really cool for this organization,” said Thompson. “It’s going to give the Warriors a lot of good press. I’m really excited for it and going try and put on a show.”
The Splash Brothers have always been known to shoot, but now they’ve been known to win. If making the playoffs the last two seasons wasn’t enough, followers of the NBA and sports at large now recognize both as staples to the best team in the league. The team’s rise is directly linked to their maturity as players as well as
“It’s an indication of how far we’ve come,” said head coach Steve Kerr. “I think they both deserved to start. Steph got voted in and we have the best record in the league. I think Klay deserved to be there too. Winning should be rewarded and we’re obviously being rewarded.”
Not only will Curry and Thompson be starting together for the West, they’ll be competing against each other in the three-point contest Saturday night. Curry is the odds on favorite (13/4) followed by Kyle Korver (15/4) and Thompson (4/1).
Curry, Korver as well as Wesley Mathews are tied for the league lead in three-point shots made (161) while Thompson is fourth with 155 three-point shots. This is the first time – outside of practice, that is — the Splash Brothers will compete against each other. Curry has been unsuccessful in the contest the last two seasons while this will (surprisingly) be Thompson’s first attempt.
The Warriors are no strangers to the events taking place on Friday and Saturday, but there’s a certain level of pride that comes with seeing both franchise cornerstones playing on Sunday. With Steve Kerr at the helm, the Warriors most successful first half in franchise history has been appropriately satisfied.
All-Star Weekend is an exhibition, a showcase for the NBA to display its best talents and worldwide intrigue. It doesn’t count in the standings and reputations aren’t made off participation. But, it does indicate status and popularity. The Warriors have had the market for success, but never truly capitalized because of their insufferable franchise lunacy.
With a new coaching staff, growing stars and a fun style of basketball, the Warriors are now its own showcase. For one weekend – which just so happens to be the Mecca of basketball – the Warriors will share their two leads with the world. They’ve always provided fans with a show, but now they’ll do it under the brightest lights.
It’s a fun time to be a Warriors fan, and this weekend will be no different.