Coming into the 2021-22 season, many pundits had ruled out the chances of the Golden State Warriors winning the championship. While they did show some promise in the 2020-21 season, it was mainly Stephen Curry who looked like the shining light of the team while the supporting cast struggled to contribute consistently.
Not only did their supporting cast of players look lackluster, but uncertainty also loomed over the return of superstar guard Klay Thompson. Given how the odds were stacked up against them, it was understandable that many people were unwilling to back the Warriors.
But despite all their hardships, the Warriors stunned the world. 10 months later, it was the Dubs who won their 4th title in the last 8 years.
After making a return to a basketball court for the first time in 2 years, Klay was a key player for Curry and Co. to clinch the title. The 31-year-old was understandably ecstatic upon winning the trophy and had a word or two for the doubters.
“I know it hurt them bad.”
Klay calls out at NBA media ‘experts’ who doubted the Warriors 🍿
(via @KlayThompson) https://t.co/jWlFrDGCa8
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 14, 2022
“Anyone who is an expert or does TV analysis of their respective sports and never really did the damn thing, can’t trust them. You can’t trust their opinion, you can’t trust their expertise because they literally were dead in the water and what do we do, win a championship. I know it hurt them bad.”
There were certainly many factors that lead to the Warriors winning the championship. While their support cast looked flat last season, Curry and Co. the likes of Jordan Poole put up monstrous performances and became a constant threat.
Not only that, Andrew Wiggins became a true two-way mainstay, often blocking shots or scoring easy buckets in transition. Given how loaded the Warriors are, they easily will be one of the favorites to win the title. But the task for a potential repeat won’t be easy for the side. Can Thompson and the Dubs repeat next season?
