While the Golden State Warriors are missed out on the playoffs in 2020/21, they're still one of the more successful organizations in the NBA. The Dubs are just a few years removed from their dynasty, and with the exception of Kevin Durant and maybe Andre Iguodala, the Warriors core is still pretty much intact. Injuries have played a part in their downfall recently, but at full strength, we still have to consider this side as a legitimate title contender.
This franchise has a long, storied history, dating back to the days of the Philadelphia and the San Francisco Warriors in the 1950s and the 1960s, respectively. Since then, this team has seen its fair share of noteworthy players, and today we will look into the Top 3 power forwards in Warriors history.
3. Chris Webber
Despite costing Michigan the NCAA championship in his final year, Chris Webber was still selected first overall in the 1993 draft by the Orlando Magic. The Warriors wanted him so bad that they traded for him on draft night in exchange for no less than Anfernee Hardaway and three (!) future first-round picks.
Webber would make an instant impact for the Warriors in his debut campaign, averaging 17.5 points (on 55.2 percent shooting), 9.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.2 blocks, en route to a Rookie of the Year-winning season. He would also play a huge role in helping to guide Golden State to a playoff appearance that season.
The only downside of Chris Webber's stint with Golden State is its short-lived tenure. After a highly impressive rookie year, the Warriors would cash in on the 6-foot-9 power forward, trading him away to the Washington Bullets in the summer of 1994. Golden State did receive quite a haul, as they got Tom Gugliotta and three future first-round picks in return, so in that respect, Webber was still somewhat able to pave the way for the franchise's future.
2. Nate Thurmond
Most likely an unknown name to fans that are not well versed in the team's history, Nate Thurmond makes our list as the second greatest PF that has ever dawned a Warriors uniform. The 6-foot-11 power forward/center was selected third overall by the Dubs in 1963. In just his second season, Thurmond would be dubbed as an All-Star, making it his first out of seven All-Star appearances.
Throughout his 11 seasons in San Francisco, Thurmond would be named in the All-NBA team on five separate occasions. Also known as
“Nate the Great,” he also set several records, including the first quadruple-double in league history. Thurmond is widely regarded as one of the best rebounders ever, having once averaged 22.0 boards for a whole season (1967-68). For his numerous contributions to the sport, the Akron, Ohio native was enshrined to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985.
Thurmond holds career averages with the Warriors of 17.4 points, 16.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.9 blocks per contest. He passed away on July 16, 2016 at just 74 years of age.
1. Draymond Green
Rounding out our list is none other than current Warriors starting power forward Draymond Green. The 30-year-old has been heavily criticized this season, being the only remaining (relatively) uninjured Warriors star. Nonetheless, despite a rather average 2020/21 campaign, there is still no doubt that Green is the greatest Warriors power forward of all time.
Green has the accolades to prove it, too: a three-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA Team member, a five-time All-Defensive team member, a former Defensive Player of the Year, and of course, a three-time NBA champ. No other PF in Warriors history can match what he has achieved with Golden State, whether it be on an individual level or as a team.
There's no denying that Green was and continues to be one of the most important pieces for the Warriors as they went on that historic five consecutive Finals appearances. As a matter of fact, great as Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant may be, more than a few folks would argue that the Dubs would not have achieved what they did without Green.
In his three straight years as an All-Star, the versatile 6-foot-9 forward averaged 11.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.4 blocks, and 1.1 triples per ballgame. Perhaps even more significantly, Green's contributions went far beyond the box score, serving as one of the team's most vocal leaders both on and off the floor.
Green is definitely the type of player who fits the love him or hate him profile, but regardless of what one may think of him, he still remains to be the greatest Warriors power forward of all time.
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