Honorary Warriors For Life: Damian Lillard, Andre Iguodala, Matt Barnes
Falling short: Stephen Jackson, D'Angelo Russell, Rick Barry, Richard Jefferson, Mark Jackson
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Introducing Honorary Warriors For Life
The concept is simple. There are some players who are not in the Warriors organization, but Warriors fans will still root for anyway (as long as no Warriors interests are at stake). So they are not a part of Dub Nation, but they still are welcomed into Dub Nation. This is very often because they are former Warriors players, but not always.
The Voting Process
Here is the process. I issue a poll on Twitter. If the nominee gets a 75% approval vote from Warriors fans who know them, they become Honorary Warriors For Life.
1. Damian Lillard
Dame was born in Oakland, is proud to represent it, and he returns often for charity functions. His amazing peak performances and Oakland connections gather admiration, and he was one of the pioneers with Stephen Curry of the long-range three-pointer.
Conveniently, his Blazers have gone 0-3 against the Dubs, losing in 2016, 2017 and 2019 so few bitter feelings have developed, and Lillard has refrained from trash-talking the Warriors in the press despite it all.
In fact, he has led stunning upset playoff victories over the most annoying Warriors rivals: James Harden’s Houston Rockets (2014), Chris Paul’s and Blake Griffin’s LA Clippers (2016) and Russell Westbrook’s OKC Thunder (2019).
The Poll: Dub Nation, imagine you see Damian Lillard in a game not against GSW, and with no practical implications for the Warriors. (So ignore draft picks, playoff seeding, etc.) Do you want him to do well or poorly?
Poll Results: Well 78.6% / Poorly 1.9% / Don’t Care 18.4% / Don’t Know Them 1%
Congratulations, Damian.
2. Andre Iguodala
You know who he is. The 2015 Finals MVP, starter of a trend for stars to join the Stephen Curry - Klay Thompson - Draymond Green core after playoff defeat, the man who finessed the Warriors into giving him a whopping large contract at the end of his career, then got the Grizzlies to pay him money to rest and rehab before guiding himself to land on the beaches of Miami.
Poll Results: Well 93.7% / Poorly 0.5% / Don’t Care 5.3% / Don’t Know Them 0.5%
Dub Nation seems to still love Mr. Andre. Congratulations!
3. Matt Barnes
On the court, there is little to dispute. A member of We Believe, then a rival for a while with the Clippers before coming home in 2017 to help in the championship run, now famous for chatting basketball when utterly stoned. Off the court, a couple of high-profile arrests have turned a number of people against him.
Poll Results: Well 76.1% / Poorly 0.9% / Don’t Care 22.1% / Don’t Know Them 0.9%
He squeaks over the line and is awarded Honorary Warrior For Life status.
Falling Short For Now
Stephen Jackson. Captain Jack and Matt Barnes’s fellow media stoner. The closest vote, and a case probably needs a proper re-vote and a thorough discussion. Well 68.1% / Poorly 2.8% / Don’t Care 26.4% / Don’t Know Them 2.8%.
Rick Barry. On court, a spectacular old school player. In the locker room, reportedly hated by his peers. (Note: Rick Barry’s podcast co-host disputes this as unfounded.) Now a media figure whose views have alienated a lot of Dub Nation. Well 31.5% / Poorly 23.9% / Don’t Care 41.3% / Don’t Know Them 3.3%.
Coach Mark Jackson. Don’t disrespect the Caterpillar. Dub Nation has not let bygones by bygones from his coaching tenure. Well 11.9% / Poorly 44.8% / Don’t Care 41.8% / Don’t Know Them 1.5%.
We discussed his controversial time with the Warriors here.
Richard Jefferson. Bumpy time at GSW, played for rival Cavs, now a press figure whose public coverage feels… skewed. Well 7.1% / Poorly 58.7% / Don’t Care 33.3% / Don’t Know Them 0.8%
I have to share one of the great moments on Twitter. Warriors fan Killjoy has been slagging RJ for years and he finally got a direct response.
D’Angelo Russell. The majority of voters wish him well, but it’s hard to ignore that his future success will hurt the Warriors’ draft pick from MIN. Some fans also don’t like the aesthetics of his methodical “bumper car” and “micro-Harden” game. Well 52.6% / Poorly 5.5% / Don’t Care 39.9% / Don’t Know Them 2%
Your Turn
Remember, I am NOT personally endorsing every choice above, but I do feel these are representative of the feelings of Dub Nation as a whole.
I also welcome nominations for other NBA figures for future Honorary Warriors For Life consideration.
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I don't know who these people are on Twitter that wouldn't vote for Stack Jack but shame on them.
OT: Steph still targeting 3/1
[Slater] Most notable part of Steph Curry’s presser: He’s still getting over the nerve damage in left hand: “When you have 280 pounds laying on your hand, something’s bound to happen.” - “I’m getting used to what the new normal is. It definitely feels different than the right.”
I know he needs game-time, but can't he just sit out the season? Myabe the league is pressuring behind the scenes.