It's really a lot of things.
The Golden State Warriors have been the best team in the NBA since the 2014-2015 season, which was their first season winning 65+ games after two years of improvement. At first they were looked at as a lovable group of players, but now they sort of fill the role of ‘Villain.’ Maybe this is just a natural progression for teams that win a lot, maybe it’s not. Let’s move off of the hardwood for a quick second.
Outside of their respective locales the Yankees have been hated for decades and in recent years the same could be said about the New England Patriots. But why do we hate them? Is it because they’ve been the best and we want to see a new team raise a trophy? Do they have arrogant players or repulsive ownership?
I’ll let you ponder that question until you read the end of this sentence.
The answer: It’s always an amalgamation of things that add up into a festering pile of garbage.
Like any critique let’s start with some positives: The Warriors are a well-oiled machine from top to bottom. Honest to God truth, I love watching them play. Excellent ball movement in a space and pace offense with knock down shooters. They have a great Head Coach in Kerr, the best shooter ever in Curry, an elite (underrated) 2 way guard with Klay Thompson, a very good defensive player with Draymond. Oh, and probably the best pure scorer ever in KD. All of these guys are surrounded by solid role players...Clearly someone knew what they were doing on draft day as they have a lot of homegrown talent which in turn has attracted other good players around the league.
Now let’s dig in a little bit as to why they are the most hated team in the NBA. We can skip over the whining and complaining to refs, the whole league does it. Actually, no we can’t. These guys need to zip it - I've seen enough phantom fouls on KD and Steph and they are on the right side of a lot of whistles. Ask the Houston Rockets.
Steph Curry: Even though he has Daddy’s NBA genes, he is a true underdog story but he has grown into an absolute d-bag on the court. Cocky, the childish shimmy celebrations, and overall lack of humbleness have turned him into an unlikable player.
KD: Do I really need to say much? The second best player in the League on a rising OKC team joins the best team ever spells out C-O-W-A-R-D. Ehh maybe that's a little harsh but he took the path of the least resistance when he could’ve gone East and no one would have said anything negative. KD lost major respect in a lot of NBA fans when he went to Golden State.
Draymond: Yeah, yeah, yeah, he’s not talented and makes up for it elsewhere. That does not mean you should be a constant jerk, barking at refs, excessively hard fouls, kicking dudes in the nuts, and being a bad teammate. It’s hard to cheer for a guy like that. I wouldn't be surprised if GSW fans merely tolerate the guy.
The arrogance that this organization possesses from player to owner is off the charts. Could it start with majority owner Lacob? “We're light-years ahead of probably every other team in structure, in planning, in how we're going to go about things,” "we're going to be a handful for the rest of the NBA to deal with for a long time." Team proceeds to blow 3-1 Finals lead and signs Durant…..Groundbreaking analytics right there. Between cocky, arrogant, unlikable players/ownership to multiple championships the Warriors have earned their award as “Most Hated Team in the NBA.”
Oh, and one more reason. Boogie Cousins. Please, raise your hand if you like him....Anyone there?
That's what I thought.