Lots of talk about the Warriors. Former players taking shots at their throne. Critics questioning their place in history.
Even point guard Stephen Curry is getting annoyed.
He isn’t alone. Mary Babers-Green, mother of All-Star Draymond Green, is getting annoyed by the criticism, too. She penned this letter, an exclusive to Bay Area News Group:
WHO ARE WE ALL WATCHING?
That’s right the GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS! Last year was supposedly a fluke. Critics were talking, calling it luck, attributing Warriors success to other team’s injuries. But, as I was always told, a WIN IS A WIN. Whether it’s by 1 point or by 50, a win is a win. And in the case of the Warriors, a CHAMPIONSHIP IS A CHAMPIONSHIP! Every team that has hoisted the trophy has benefited from breaks. That’s always a part of being the last team standing. So whether all the opposing players are suited up or not, the Warriors did their job: they won.
*Leandro Barnosa voice* WE BE CHAMPIONSHIP
Even after such a great year, and the Warriors following that with sheer domination this season, the “so-called experts” and former basketball players are slinging mud at Golden State. All the talk is about what the Warriors can’t do, what would have happened in another day, why what they are doing isn’t so great after all. MOVE ON! It happens with every generation. Whatever happened to wanting the next generation to be better than the last? What ever happened to being supportive, proud and uplifting, considering what this team is doing to spread the appeal of the game? STOP SPEWING ENVY! Especially you former players, even you legends, these players are who you use to be. They are walking following your footsteps. And nothing they have said or done suggests they aren’t appreciative and grateful for their predecessors. You have their respect. So RELAX! Last time I checked, records are made to be broken. Eras are going to change. Progress is supposed to be good.
The Golden State Warriors are not the ONLY GREAT TEAM. Because they are taking the league by storm, dominating their peers in a way no team has done before, doesn’t make other great teams invalid. It’s just that now is the Warriors’ time. They are trying to defend their throne and carve out their place in history to the best of their ability. There is no crime in getting after it on the court, playing like a team and playing the game the right way. Isn’t that what they are supposed to do? It’s not their fault nobody else can take them down!
So comparing eras is fine. But respect this team! APPRECIATE this team. They have earned it and are earning it.
GRAB YOUR POPCORN and ENJOY THE RIDE. We may never see a team like this ever again. A talented player from Davidson that is breaking records and shooting the trey ball from places on the court that people wouldn’t dare shoot from until now. The relentless blue-collar worker from Michigan State who knows nothing but how to grind, play with heart and use his intelligence on the court. A textbook perfect shooter from Washington State who can leave us all gasping for air. Add a skilled spot-up shooter from North Carolina who has the ability to take flight in the midst of a storm and worked himself into a good defender. Then you throw in a skilled rim protector and rebounder from Utah. If that’s not enough, sprinkle in an amazing high riser from Arizona who does whatever you need him to do, especially when you most need him to do it. The Warriors also have a player who came straight from high school who overcame so much to get to this point, and his patience and perseverance shows up in the way he backs down opponents with his patented moves. The Warriors bench is a real unit. They are in the game even when they aren’t in the game, and most nights they can sustain any pressure. Last but not least, the Warriors are being led by a skilled “NBA CHAMPION” coach who has been down that same road as some of the FORMER GREATS who speak against what the Warriors can’t and don’t do!
Whether they win it all or not, one thing is for certain: BASKETBALL HAS CHANGED. And, quite frankly, I’m glad it has. Because, truth be told, we were all beginning to YAWN!
NBA BASKETBALL IS FANTASTIC!
The post Draymond Green’s mom has something to say to Warriors critics appeared first on Inside the Warriors.
