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The Golden State Warriors are clearly still a top-watched franchise

By Nathan Beighle

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after shooting and making a three-point shot against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on May 16, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after shooting and making a three-point shot against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on May 16, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The 2021-2022 NBA schedule is slowly starting to roll out. We have the opening slate of games and the Christmas Day slate of games, both of which will feature the Stephen Curry-led Golden State Warriors.

To kick off the season, the Warriors will take on the Los Angeles Lakers. Then, on Christmas Day, the Warriors will take on the Suns. Having Golden State in both is pivotal as their attraction for the general NBA fan is drastically higher than most other franchises.

The Golden State Warriors have games on the biggest days of the NBA season, showing they still are among the most popular teams in the league.

The Warriors franchise wasn’t always this ultra-popular name. Back when Monta Ellis captained the team, the Warriors were either far from playoff contenders or barely on the verge of making the postseason.

Now, after five straight NBA Finals appearances, they’re still among the most-prized organizations in the NBA. Not only are they in an ultra-hot area of California, but they recently built a brand new state-of-the-art facility, the Chase Center.

What’s even more impressive is that the last of those five straight appearances was two years ago. Since the 2019 NBA Finals in which Klay Thompson tore his ACL, the Warriors have struggled. Thompson hasn’t played since then and Kevin Durant left following that series.

The Warriors won just 15 games the next season and missed the playoffs this past season after losing in the play-in tournament to the Memphis Grizzlies. Thankfully, those struggles have mattered little.

Golden State still commands the attention of general NBA fans.

Curry has been a polarizing player with his ability to shoot from deep at a rate never before seen in NBA history. Coming off a year as the league’s scoring title, Curry is primed for yet another dominant season.

His presence alone has helped elevate Golden State to the top of the league, and as we’ve seen, even when they aren’t playing well, they’ve still kept the attention of fans. Given how the last two seasons have gone with Covid-19 ruining attendance numbers, using those means little.

The Dubs have struggled without Thompson, coming for under 80 wins over the past two seasons, but at least for the Christmas Day game, they should have a fully healthy roster taking on the NBA Finals-making Suns.

Next. Top 30 Golden State Warriors players in franchise history. dark

That will be one of the most anticipated games of the season.

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