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The Golden State Warriors are one of the most successful NBA teams of the previous decade. They went to five straight NBA Finals (from 2015 to 2019), something that hadn't been done since the 1950s era of the Bill Russell-led Boston Celtics.
During that period, the likes of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green broke several records and won three championships with historic playoff runs.
The Golden State Warriors won their first title in 40 years in 2015. They then set the record for most wins in a regular season (73-9) the following year.
The Warriors subsequently signed Durant and won back-to-back titles after unbelievable playoff runs, going 15-1 in the 2017 playoffs and sweeping the finals in 2018.
Which Golden State Warriors players have been most overlooked in the last 10 years?
In the last decade, the Golden State Warriors became the team to beat in the NBA. The number of All-Star players at their disposal was overwhelming for many opponents.
However, in the midst of all the stardom, champagne and celebrations, many players were overlooked and underappreciated. Here, we take a look at 5 Golden State Warriors players who were underappreciated in the last decade.
#1 Shaun Livingston
Shaun Livingston averaged 5.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while playing for the Golden State Warriors. With such averages, it is understandable why many people overlook him in conversations about the franchise's successes.
Having said that, Livingston was a key piece for the Warriors off the bench. He played backup guard to Curry and Thompson.
Livingston was often the facilitator when Curry and Green weren't on the floor. He played big minutes for the team in critical playoff games and often contributed with double-digit scoring at crucial moments.
Livingston was a veteran leader both on and off the court, rarely committing turnovers and always making the right play. He had a knack for showing up in the right place at the right time, whether for an offensive board or a steal.
Livingston played his best whenever he was on the floor and rarely disappointed.
#2 Andrew Bogut
Andrew Bogut is easily the most overlooked Golden State Warriors player in the last decade. His contributions are often forgotten when one talks about the team's championship runs.
Bogut was the perfect player to be paired alongside Curry and Thompson. His elite passing and defending prowess, along with his high IQ game, were what the Warriors needed to secure that first title in 2015.
Travis Schlenk, who was working with the Golden State Warriors front office at the time, talked about the decision to acquire Andrew Bogut in an interview with CBS Sports last year. He said:
"We were trying to change the way we played...We weren't getting anywhere just trying to outscore teams. So getting Bogut was a big part of that deal...People forget how big Bogut was in winning that first championship...Sitting here today, I can't say that trade was more about giving Steph the team or getting that defensive anchor. It was both."
Andrew Bogut played for the Golden State Warriors from 2012 to 2016, helping them through many playoff runs and securing the NBA title in 2015. He was also a part of the crew that won 73 out of 82 games in 2016.
Bogut was one of the best pick-and-roll partners that Curry has ever had. If he wasn't on the team, the landscape of the Golden State Warriors would be dramatically different today.
#3 Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes is often overlooked in conversations about the Golden State Warriors. People usually focused on the "best shooting backcourt" of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.
However, Barnes was a major piece of their 2015 and 2016 campaigns. He was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 2012 and played small forward for the team until Kevin Durant arrived.
Barnes started 246 out of 307 games for the Golden State Warriors, averaging 10.1 points and 4.6 rebounds on 37% shooting from beyond the arc.
Barnes was young when he was with the Warriors and showed bursts of energy whenever he was on the court.
#4 David Lee
David Lee was traded by the Golden State Warriors right after they won the championship in 2015. He injured himself and was replaced in the starting lineup by Draymond Green, who continued to start even when Lee returned. In hindsight, starting Green was one of the best moves made by Steve Kerr.
Lee was a two-time All-Star with the Warriors in 2010 and 2013. He averaged nearly 19 points and 11 rebounds per game for the team and registered many consecutive 20-point games.
Curry's breakout campaign in 2013 and the 6th-seeded upset of the Denver Nuggets in that year's first round of the playoffs would never have happened if not for Lee's exploits in the regular season.
#5 Klay Thompson
The inclusion of Klay Thompson on this list may be surprising as he isn't at the same level as the rest of the featured players.
Thompson, although a five-time All-Star, is often overlooked in discussions about the best players in the league. He is constantly playing under Stephen Curry's shadow and is referred to as his sidekick. His name is hardly even brought up when someone discusses the top guards of the NBA.
Klay Thompson can explode for 50 points with ease and holds numerous shooting records. However, he has still been snubbed off all three All-NBA teams on multiple occasions. His most recent snub cost him $30 million in contract value as the Golden State Warriors were obligated not to offer him a supermax.
ESPN commentator Michael Wilbon has even publicly admitted that he regrets not voting for Thompson in the All-NBA.
Moreover, Klay Thompson was placed below then-rookie Zion Williamson in the Top 100 NBA players ranking in 2019.
Famous NBA analyst Skip Bayless said "it doesn't make sense" that one of the best two-way guards ever would be ranked below a rookie.
Also Read: 5 Biggest mistakes made by the Golden State Warriors during the 2020-21 NBA season
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