Steph Curry (David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports)
In picking a top 10 list of NBA teams, the Warriors pose one of the biggest challenges. I’m an old guy, but even I didn’t see much or any of some great Warriors players dating back to their days in Philadelphia. I’ve usually at least seen the guys I pick on TV, that isn’t always the case here. In addition, to make this list a player needed to play for the Warriors at least three seasons.
10a: Jeff Mullins
The Warriors have had a number of two guards who were athletic and could score, but Mullins gets a mention by virtue of his balanced game. He was also a member of the 1975 Warriors championship team, though his role was limited. For about a 6 year stretch from the late 60’s to the mid 70’s Jeff was good for a line of about 20–5–5. Jeff shot 46% from the field and 81% from the line. That was good enough to sneak in on this list.
10: Klay Thompson
One half of the Splash Brothers, Klay is a tremendous long-range shooter. His career average points per gain with the Warriors was 19.6. He shot about 45% from the field, which includes nearly 41.2% from behind the arc. Klay worked well without the ball, so the Warriors offense was able to maximize his skills. Of course, he’s got a lot of skills to maximize.
9: Paul Arizin
I went into the wayback machine for this one. Arizin was a star for the Warriors throughout the 50’s and through the 1961–62 season. Paul led the NBA in scoring during the 1955–56 with 25.6 and scored 22.8 for his career. Arizin was a 10-time all-star, and his defensive metrics seem pretty good, so this hall of famer gets the ninth slot.
8: Neil Johnston
Eons of time ago dinosaurs roamed the earth, and white guys were NBA all-stars. Neil Johnston was one of those guys (white all-stars, not dinosaurs). Johnston’s resume looks similar to Arizin’s in that he was a huge scorer during the 50’s. Neil led the NBA in scoring three times during that decade and three times led the league in field goal percentage. Of course, back then 45% was good enough to do the trick. He also led the NBA in rebounding with 15.1 during the 1954–55 season. Johnston and Arizin were key members of the Warriors 1955–56 championship team.
7: Tim Hardaway
Tim was a lot of talent in a small package. I see he’s listed as being 6’0”, but that seems like a stretch. Hardaway started his NBA career with the Warriors and played 6 seasons for them. During that time Tim was good for about 20 points, 9 assists and 3 rebounds per game. Tom shot 49% from the field and 77% from the line. Tim had two seasons where he was in the top ten in steals. He was the trigger man for the Warriors during their Run TMC days. Those Warriors might not have won a championship, but their run and gun style of play was entertaining.
6: Chris Mullin
The C of Run TMC, Chris had a long, successful run with the Warriors. From the 1988–89 season through the 1992–93 season Chris averaged more than 25 points per game. He was an efficient scorer, shooting 51% from the field and 86.5% from the line. Mullin was very durable, three times leading the NBA in games played and twice leading the league in minutes played. In 13 seasons with the Warriors, Chris averaged 20.7 points per game to go along with 4.5 rebounds and 4 assists. While not as fast or athletic as many NBA stars, Mullin was twice in the top ten in steals. Chris Mullin one of the many great Warriors scorers.
5: Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant will be on a few of these lists. That happens when you are chasing rings. Durant is an undeniably great player, but it seems the media’s obsession with ring chasing motivates some players to go wherever they calculate they are most likely to get a ring. His time with the Warriors was successful in that regard. He picked up a couple of rings while with Golden State. He also filled up the stats sheet, averaging 25.8 ppg to go along with 7.1 rebounds and 5.4 rebounds. He also added 1.2 blocks and 0.8 steals. He seems to be on track to be recognized as a great player, but one who wasn’t a great leader.
4: Nate Thurmond
Want a great defensive center who was a beast on the boards? Nate Thurmond was your man. Thurmond is listed in the NBA top ten in blocks only twice, largely because the stat was only available late in his career. In 11 seasons with the Warriors Thurmond averaged 15 rebounds. While Nate was tremendous on defense and on the boards, his offense was somewhat limited. Nate averaged 15 ppg but shot only 42% from the field and 66.7% from the line. The Warriors have had plenty of guys who could put the ball in the hole, Thurmond was a guy who could prevent the other team from doing the same.
3: Steph Curry
Steph Curry is a guy who is small and not incredibly quick, but who’s skills are off the charts. His shooting range is just inside half court and his handles are unreal. Plus, it seems like guys like to play with him because of his share the ball mentality. His raw stats are great, but advanced metrics like him even more. Curry has been on four world championship teams. Curry has averaged nearly 24.7 ppg in 15+ with the Warriors. Four times he’s led the NBA in free throw shooting. He has also averaged 6.6 assists and 1.7 steals. He led the league in steals during the 2015–16 season. I could go on, but you get the idea. Curry is a great shooter and passer and is on his way to the hall of fame.
2: Rick Barry
Rick led the 1974–75 Warriors to an NBA championship. Barry was a basketball nomad, starting his career with the Warriors and then playing for the ABA before coming back to the Warriors. In all, Rick played 8 seasons for the Warriors and had a slash line of 25–7–5. He was also one of the better free throw shooters in NBA history, shooting nearly 90%. His underhanded style may be scoffed at by today’s players, but Rick made it work. Barry was also rated surprisingly high by defensive metrics. If Barry had played his whole career in the NBA and hadn’t had to set out a year because of legal issues he would probably be recognized for what he was, one of the best forwards in NBA history.
1: Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt has many detractors, but when a guy averages 50 points a game and 25 rebounds in a season as Chamberlain did during the 1961–62 season, it’s hard to ignore him. In six seasons with the Warriors, Wilt averaged 41 points and 25 rebounds. He also averaged an astounding 47.2 minutes played per game. Wilt put up those stats in the early 60’s but would be great in today’s game too. Chamberlain was a scorer during his days with the Warriors but became more of a passer later in his career. Wilt’s game evolved as he got older, unfortunately for the Warriors, it evolved for other teams.
There’s my list of the Top 10 Warriors. There’s plenty of room for discussion on this list, probably more than any other list of Top 10 list of NBA team players I’ve put together. So, what are your thoughts on the Top 10 Warriors players?
