Blue Man Hoop
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Golden State Warriors earning their comparison to Spurs

By Tony Pesta

OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs talks to Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors before their game at Oracle Arena on February 22, 2013 in Oakland, California. The Warriors are wearing new short-sleeved uniforms for the first time. The Warriors won the game in overtime. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs talks to Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors before their game at Oracle Arena on February 22, 2013 in Oakland, California. The Warriors are wearing new short-sleeved uniforms for the first time. The Warriors won the game in overtime. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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It was all part of the plan. The Golden State Warriors chose to go the path (mostly) untraveled by attempting to blend youth and veteran talent on the same roster, with the goal of extending a championship window to unparalleled lengths.

Ring any bells?

Perhaps the only other franchise in league history that has managed to add new talent to a preexisting core for three decades is the San Antonio Spurs. The seamless transition from David Robinson, to Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and eventually, Kawhi Leonard, is the type of long-term franchise-building that GMs can only dream of.

Obviously, building the San Antonio dynasty took some luck.

Winning the 1997 NBA Draft Lottery and the chance to select consensus No. 1 overall pick and future Hall of Fame Legend Tim Duncan was only the beginning. The Spurs then nailed some of the biggest draft steals in league history by selecting Parker (28th pick), Ginobili (57th pick) and Leonard (15th).

The similarities between San Antonio and the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty is striking as both teams relied on a bit of luck and homegrown talent to win.

For the Warriors, this homegrown method of building through the draft goes back to their roots. Stephen Curry (7th pick), Klay Thompson (11th pick) and Draymond Green (35th) pick got the ball rolling.

Now, names like Jordan Poole (28th pick), Jonathan Kuminga (7th pick) and Moses Moody (14th pick) are looking to carry the next generation of Dubs’ basketball. And don’t forget, James Wiseman (2nd pick) is on the bench, as well.

Golden State has already reached dynasty status by stringing off five straight trips to the NBA Finals to go with three championships. Yet, with the current core still playing at an elite level and the future of the franchise looking as strong as ever.

This has put the Warriors in a position that seemed impossible. The dynasty was dead in the water for two years and now it’s surging back with a purpose.

While there is no telling if the young core will continue to make key developments, the Dubs have already thrust themselves deep into Spurs’ comparisons.

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