The top of the mountain is hard to reach. Teams and players consistently put up historic stats in the regular season only to fall short on the path to the NBA Finals, the playoffs proving to be a different game. Draymond Green once made the point that there are 82-game players, and there are 16-game players, further putting an emphasis on that difference.

And this year, it looks like the Warriors are much more focused on those 16 than they are the first 82.

Golden State has assembled a roster of savvy vets which, while they risk injuries and fatigue throughout the regular season, have a lot of proven records. Their world-breaking starting five has returned intact and healthy outside of a minor ankle sprain which could keep Green out for the first stretch of the season, but they’ve also brought in reinforcements with deep playoff experience: Cory Joseph was fresh in the league as a member of the Spurs’ championship teams against the Miami Heat, Dario Saric was a part of the Finals-bound Phoenix Suns team that lost to the Milwaukee Bucks, and of course, point god Chris Paul was not only one of the leaders of that Suns team but also had plenty of experience against the Warriors as both a Clipper and a Rocket. Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Gary Payton II were all members of the 2022 title team, and there’s a slew of journeymen, rookies, and 2-way players who will or could be competing for minutes this time around.

It’s safe to say the expectations around this season are a lot different than they are last season. The window is closing, and the vets who have been there before are making a point that it’s an important window to make work. As much can be cleared up from hearing Stephen Curry talk about the significance of what his fifth title would mean:

“It’s everything, man…”

Those are the words that will drive Golden State heading into a season where the landscape of the NBA still could change more drastically than it already has. Damian Lillard has made his way to Milwaukee, and it remains to be seen where the person he was traded for - elite two-way point guard Jrue Holiday - will land, although the Clippers have been noted as possible contenders for his services. But regardless of who the Warriors end up facing, it looks like new addition CP3 is undeterred and all-in on aiming high:

“I actually got the opportunity in ‘08 to come off the bench for the Olympic team. That went pretty well” Paul said when asked about his potential role. “It’s gonna be whatever I can do to help the team win, and I’ve at least tried to show or proven that my entire career.”

Paul’s priority is clearly on winning. The starting lineup question has been the biggest topic of discussion amongst fans and pundits alike when it comes to Warriors basketball. While the Steph-Klay-Wiggs-Dray-Loon lineup was the league’s most effective by a country mile, Chris Paul is proven as one of the greatest guards of his time. One part of that, however, is his willingness to win: If coming off the bench and commanding the second unit with his experience is what that takes, then that’s what it seems like he’s prepared to do. He understands more than most that if it isn’t broken, there’s no point in trying to fix it.

Another looming question, after all the drama which contract talks caused over the last season, is Klay Thompson’s extension. And in very Klay fashion, he was just happy to be a part of the team:

“I think it’s possible, and if not it’s still great… Whatever the future has in store, I’ve done so many great things in this uniform and I know there are many more memories to create. So whatever happens, life is great, have had an incredible run here and look forward to making more great memories with the guys” Thompson said when asked about the potential for his contract extension.

The priority was to get the good vibes back in tandem with a winning attitude this offseason, and it looks to be that was accomplished.

A lot of the indications coming from the Dubs at the start of the 2022-2023 season was that there was tension in the air. There wasn’t a cohesive direction between the players, Steve Kerr, and the front office. With the moves the Warriors made this offseason, the sense that the joy has returned and all of those kinds of issues aren’t important in front of the task ahead is palpable.

With Green looking spry heading into media day, the concern that he’ll miss the October 24th season opener is looking less and less worrying. Klay has expressed how excited he is to play with CP3. Steph is locked in and, after he set the then-record for points in a Game 7 against the Sacramento Kings, he looks hungrier than ever to keep the dynasty rolling. For all intents and purposes, the Warriors look like the Warriors again, a lot of their questions answered by an underperforming 2023 playoffs.

Golden State kicks off the preseason at 5:30pm Pacific time against the Los Angeles Lakers. There won’t be a lot to learn about this team but, with training camp starting, one thing’s for certain….

The best show on hardwood, the Golden State Warriors, are back and ready to do some damage.

(Photo credit: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)