Warriors Record Setting Season

First and foremost, you have to give tremendous credit to the Golden State Warrior organization and the city of Oakland. Yes, the city of Oakland, not San Francisco, and not the Bay Area. Although they are vital to the organization, the accolades must start with Oakland because this is where the Golden State franchise resides. Furthermore, in a city that has struggled financially, over the last several decades, a positive light needs to be shined on 'Oaktown' (not to mention the dismal seasons by the Raiders since 2003).

Lost in the 16-0 start, is former NBA point guard Mark Jackson, who coached 3 seasons for the Warriors, from 2001-2014. The 2011-12 season, Jackson's won-loss record was 23 wins and 43 losses. The 2012-13 season, the Warriors record was 47 wins and 35 losses, made the playoffs and lost in the Conference Semifinals. In the 2013-14 campaign, Golden State improved to 51 wins and 31 losses, and came up short in a thrilling 7-game series against the Los Angeles Clippers.

There is no denying the fact that Mark Jackson, coupled with the Warriors management and ownership, is a major part of the phenomenal success of the Warriors. At the writing of this article, GS is 16-0 and have set the NBA record for consecutive wins at the start of the season.

A 20-0 start appears to be inevitable (with their biggest opponents being themselves) based on the upcoming games against the Suns (7-8), Kings (6-10), Jazz (7-7), and Hornets (9-6). With the exception of a road game against the Charlotte Hornets, Golden State is heavily favored in the preceding 3 contests.

The Warriors general manager Bob Myers was voted NBA's executive of year for the 2014-15 season. Couple his accomplishment with head coach Steve Kerr being out for the year, his fill-in, assistant coach Luke Walton, do you give him credit for the 16-0 start? Following his retirement, the 35-year-old Walton was hired as a player development coach by the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League, for the 2013–14 season. He joined the Warrior staff in July of 2014.

Some of you may disagree, but what Golden State is doing now highlights the 3 years Mark Jackson, along with Myers, helped to mold this team into what it is today - the most dominant team since the Michael Jordan led Chicago Bulls. Certainly Curry is a huge part of his teams success, but he's no MJ. The Warriors management have put together a championship caliber team who may very well repeat as NBA Champions.

As sited in a Sports Nation article, owner Joe Lacob (Lacob and Peter Guber are the chief owners, but Lacob is in charge of day-to-day operations) blames Mark Jackson's poor relationship with the rest of the organization and his choice of assistant coaches as the main reasons for letting him go. Lacobs also fired Don Nelson and hired Keith Smart (2010–11, 36-46 record) before hiring Mark Jackson.

Be that as it may, you cannot question success and must tip your hat to Joe Lacob and Bob Myers. The Chicago Bulls compiled the three best single-season records for the 1990's, including a record-setting 72-10 season in 1995-96. The Warriors are on pace to shatter that record. They will lose a few, but I don't see Golden State losing more than 4-5 games. If they can win the championship this year, then pull off a 3-peat, we could be talking about one of the greatest teams of all time. For now, the jury's still out.

Article by taskeinc