Boston — Bob Myers settled on a courtside chair near the visiting bench at TD Garden, barefoot with a bottle of champagne full of Michelob Ultra.This was about an hour after him Warriors Won the fourth title on the parquet floor. Myers had spilled a beer splash near the free throw line a minute ago. Cigar smoke filled the air. The arena was transformed into a rager.
Political parties like these will transform into an era of remorse. The conversation turns into an important moment of climbing. Myers’ heart was turned to last year’s draft. The Warriors had two precious lottery tickets. A well-established star who likes veteran help and a coach who doesn’t care about additional rookies with the current task in mind. trade? Can you reach out to old prospects?
Myers, Joe Racob, and the front office are now teenagers-teenagers with both choices — Jonathan Kuminga At number 7 Moses Moody At number 14 — the biggest statement ever is financially Stephen Curry Now they also continue to protect the future. It was a commitment to two timeline plans that came to define the season. Can they win now and grow now?
“I didn’t think anyone who created the draft would be the reason for winning the championship,” Myers said. Athletic. “So let’s draft the best players on the board. Many wanted us to trade them for stars. This is said to mean” I told you “. Not, but we thought Andrew Wiggins You can play that role. Did. Many did not. But we wanted to see him play the role of the fourth man. “
The day after the draft, Kuminga and Moody’s introductory press conference at Racob— Declarative interview When Athletic — By using picks instead of exchanging picks, the Warriors countered the idea of sacrificing the last best chance of Curry’s championship. His belief was that the current roster was enough to win it.
“If you can’t, with Joe Racob, Bob Myers, Stephen Curry Klay Thompson When Draymond Green Andrew Wiggins and you say you weren’t enough “Racob Said.. “You are paying all that money, and you weren’t enough. They need and should be good enough. They have won before. They are a little old. But they are not yet For real good. Clay is back. That is the key. I think we are good enough. yes. “
On top of that, in the haze at midnight Celtics Floor—Completely absorbs the effects of Thompson’s return, Jordan pooleThe emergence of, the Ascension of Wiggins, and the brilliance of the combination of Curry’s attack and Green’s defense — it’s easier to look back and script the path. But when Racob expressed his confidence last July, it was an unpopular opinion.
The biggest believers were half-threatening, with the Warriors ending in the middle of the meeting. Their biggest skeptics have removed them from the playoffs paintings.
“They were suspected,” said Racob, a dress shirt soaked in champagne. Athletic.. “But these guys aren’t 40 years old. We believed in that core. Not many teams have core 4. Many say core 3. I say core 4. We are spending money to do that. Then we complement and surround the team. I think there was someone we thought we could do more and we got another star. I know. But who were we going to get? Who was available to make a difference? We didn’t think we were there, and we really are these Young men wanted to grow up and learn from them. They learned. As a result, they will be even better in the next few years. “
In retrospect, Wiggins was the key to the success of the victory-now, development-now plan. He was a 27-year-old bridge between two eras. Curry, Thompson and Green needed a fourth high-impact playoff player to get back to the top. The outside idea was that the Wiggins salary that accompanies the asset could be used as a means to acquire that fourth player.But the internal belief was that Wiggins could do it. Become That player.
“Of course,” Racob said. “I said it from day one, and Steve Kerr said the same. He’s a typical wing just playing for a not-so-good team and probably the best culture. We didn’t get it. We thought he might be great if you put him in our situation. He didn’t have to be 1A. You he did these I saw what he did in the playoffs. He was really, really great. “
Wiggins averaged 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in 22 playoff games.He was responsible for the lead defensive assignment Luka Doncic At the Western Conference Finals Jayson Tatum In the NBA Finals, we keep both in the least efficient series. He had a big scoring night at a big moment. He hit a dunk shot in Doncic’s playoffs. He recorded 35 rebounds in three stretches that cleared the Celtics. He was a two-way force worth every penny in his biggest deal.
“I’m very proud of you,” Racob told Wiggins as he passed him in a busy post-match scene, the Canadian flag on Wiggins’ shoulders.
The Wiggins contract is a symbol of the Warriors’ overpayment. They always intended to spend on curry, Thompson and green. The D’Angelo Russell Sign-and-trade max, which turned into Wiggins, was a management choice to keep payroll slots alive, with the belief that they would eventually return to the top, despite disciplinary tax penalties.
“We are always evaluating,” Racob said. “If we didn’t have a chance to win, we wouldn’t have spent such money on the roster. When you think you have a chance to go far and compete for the championship, our belief is that we I’m going to do everything I can and spend the last $ 1 all. Many teams can’t or won’t do that. We have a lot of money. Our business side is It’s very good. We’re making a lot of money so we can spend a little more money. There’s no doubt about that, but if we didn’t have a chance to win, we didn’t. “
Did the Warriors buy the way to another title?
“Oh, come on,” Racob said. “I’m kidding; I think it’s ridiculous. All of our players are the guys we drafted or signed the minimum, except for one (Wiggins) trade. One transaction and the minimum. No more free agents. What does it mean to buy a title? It’s crazy. “
However, there are some obvious examples of Racob’s willingness to spend pulling him away from most other owners and giving the Warriors a competitive edge. Look at their 15th man.
Gary Payton II I played for 203 minutes in the playoffs, but at least doubled if I didn’t break my elbows in the middle of the run. The Warriors were plus 49 with him on the floor. He has become an important defensive threat and slashing scorer. In most other situations, he would not have been economically fit for such an expensive roster.
“The GP was the 15th man who cost us $ 12 million,” Myers said. “It was a debate. Many owners would never have done it. We went into the camp saying we hadn’t signed the 15th man. That’s $ 12 million. We did it. Not a minimal deal. But Gary was very good. We went to Joe and said it would cost $ 12 million. And he thinks we’re keeping 14. It’s a small decision. We’re trying to win the championship. There’s a salary to show that. You can’t get such a salary or participate in a conversation with that title. You’ll be beaten. I wanted to see if. Maybe we would be beaten. But we wanted to provide everything financially possible with our resources. “
The Warriors had a party at a restaurant next to TD Garden until early Friday morning. They will return to the Bay Area around 11:00 am in their hometown. The parade will take place on Monday in San Francisco. Curry, Thompson and Green will enjoy this title in the coming weeks.
But for Myers, Racob, and the front office, it’s back soon. The draft is Thursday. A week later, a free agent will arrive. The Warriors are 28th elected and have some important roster decisions regarding veterans.With Peyton Kevon Looney An unlimited free agent and just attended a bigger payday. Pools are subject to extensions. Greens and Wiggins may ask for a veteran extension.
“We don’t know what the market will be for our team,” Myers said. “We strive to bring the team together. It’s a balance between young people, old people, and the middle. No one dislikes it. So I’ll give it a try.”
“You will have to see what we are doing,” Racob added. “Drafts and free agents have arrived. Over the next few weeks, after a lot of discussion, we’ll be forming a team next year. Obviously, we have a good idea of what we’re trying to do. We have a great roster. We don’t expect many changes. “
This playoff run, which includes 12 games at Chase Center, has reopened the financial locks that help the Warriors pay their rosters. This should help retain this core. But even if everything has been restructured, Myers and Racob have probably gained some credibility with this fourth title and the decisions that led to it.
“Thankfully, in our market, people are enthusiastic about our team,” Myers said. “We won this, but if 10 games don’t go well for next season, they’ll come to us. I’m lucky to work for a team that people care about, but people Even if we’re guessing second, we have to do what we think is right. Not everything is right, but this worked. “
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(Photo of Warriors owners Joe Racob and Peter Guber: Kyle Terrada / USA Today)
