After making the NBA Finals six times from 2014 to 2022, the Golden State Warriors have had trouble returning to contention, finishing sixth place or worse in the Western Conference in each of the last four seasons.
Last season was no different, as injuries kept the Warriors in NBA Play-In Tournament territory for the third time since the 2020-21 season. Following Golden State's failed pursuit of LeBron James, a popular NBA pundit criticized the team's recent direction.
Bomani Jones, an accomplished sports writer, had this to say, "Ever since [the Warriors] went on that two-timelines nonsense, they have been actively trying to prepare for tomorrow, and this league doesn't really allow you to play for tomorrow and play for today at the same time.
It's amazing they won the championship when they did. And why did they win that championship when they did? Because they had Steph Curry. That's why."
Jones went on to throw shade at Warriors owner Joe Lacob, saying, "That's the beauty of being the owner; can't nobody fire you for being stupid."
While Jones' criticism of Lacob is extremely harsh considering he's piloted the franchise to four NBA titles since the 2014-15 season, their direction this offseason seems questionable at best. Although it can be wise to stash draft capital to a certain degree, many Warriors fans would have liked to see the team make a bigger effort to build around Stephen Curry this summer, giving him, Draymond Green and Steve Kerr one final championship window.
That said, that championship window could still open up again next summer, with a stronger class of free agents, including recent trade targets Kawhi Leonard and Michael Porter Jr. LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo could also hit the market, but only if they opt out of their contracts.
This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: NBA pundit throws shade at Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob
