The Warriors have been popular targets of criticism this past week from former NBA stars, and even Stephen Curry admitted he’s starting to get annoyed by it. Mary Babers-Green, the mother of Draymond Green, is right there with him. She wrote an open letter to be published by the Bay Area News Group.
Here is an excerpt from the letter (read the whole thing here):
WHO ARE WE ALL WATCHING?
That’s right the GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS! Last year was supposedly a fluke. Critics were talking, calling it luck, attributing Warriors success to other team’s injuries. But, as I was always told, a WIN IS A WIN. Whether it’s by 1 point or by 50, a win is a win. And in the case of the Warriors, a CHAMPIONSHIP IS A CHAMPIONSHIP! Every team that has hoisted the trophy has benefited from breaks. That’s always a part of being the last team standing. So whether all the opposing players are suited up or not, the Warriors did their job: they won.
*Leandro Barnosa voice* WE BE CHAMPIONSHIPEven after such a great year, and the Warriors following that with sheer domination this season, the “so-called experts” and former basketball players are slinging mud at Golden State. All the talk is about what the Warriors can’t do, what would have happened in another day, why what they are doing isn’t so great after all. MOVE ON! It happens with every generation. Whatever happened to wanting the next generation to be better than the last? What ever happened to being supportive, proud and uplifting, considering what this team is doing to spread the appeal of the game? STOP SPEWING ENVY! Especially you former players, even you legends, these players are who you use to be. They are walking following your footsteps. And nothing they have said or done suggests they aren’t appreciative and grateful for their predecessors. You have their respect. So RELAX! Last time I checked, records are made to be broken. Eras are going to change. Progress is supposed to be good.
GRAB YOUR POPCORN and ENJOY THE RIDE. We may never see a team like this ever again.
Whether they win it all or not, one thing is for certain: BASKETBALL HAS CHANGED. And, quite frankly, I’m glad it has. Because, truth be told, we were all beginning to YAWN!
The game has changed in so many ways, and right now the Warriors are just the shining, most potent example of what this era of basketball has to offer. We’re not just witnessing Stephen Curry carve his legacy as the most lethal shooter of all time, but an overall team that has mastered the formula of winning basketball.
Ms. Babers-Green uses the word “envy” in her letter, and I do think that’s part of what former players might feel when they watch the Warriors cripple today’s teams. They can’t help but carry that pride of thinking that their former teams would want a crack at these Warriors. Last night’s performance from Stephen Curry in Oklahoma City was some kind of statement, as if to say be careful what you wish for, and as Ms. Babers-Green said, grab your popcorn and just enjoy the show.
