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Golden State Warriors: five role players we will never forget

By Gibson Lowenberg

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 16: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter of the game at Target Center on January 16, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Warriors 119-99. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 16: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter of the game at Target Center on January 16, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Warriors 119-99. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors are a storied franchise with seven championships and a lot of losing seasons in between them.

As one of the three original NBA teams that are still around today after 75 years, it’s fair to say that many faces have come and gone through the years.

A vast majority of those players have been role players, as they make up about 85% of the NBA, though there are many playstyles, every player on a team is important.

With so many different players coming to the bay area and repping a Warriors jersey through the years, some have become fan favorites, with many seeing fans upset as they leave to play for another team.

Let’s explore some of these fan-favorite players that were not in that 15% of NBA players that lead the league.

First, some honorable mentions.

Gary Payton II

While Gary Payton II only played in Golden State for a season and a half, bouncing between San Francisco and Santa Cruz for the first season with the team, he is a surprising addition to this list.

However, he inspired many fans with his journey from the son of a Hall of Fame point guard to a player who couldn’t stay in the NBA to being a key role player to a championship team.

This alone makes him memorable to many Warriors fans.

Juan Toscano-Anderson

The fourth ever Mexican-born NBA player and the first to ever win a championship the Oakland native inspired fans from Mexico, fans that have immigrated to the United States, and fans from Oakland alike.

He wore the number 95 with the Warriors to respect his origins, growing up on 95th street on Oakland, showing that anybody can accomplish their dreams.

Monta Ellis

While Ellis was the star of the show in Golden State after Baron Davis left and before Stephen Curry rose to stardom, he began his career with the Warriors as a role player and was also in a smaller role on every other team that he was on after he left the team.

Monta Ellis was a beam of hope in a team that had not won a championship before color television and was also a part of the iconic We Believe Warriors team.

Jason Richardson

Another player that was technically the star for the team that was robbed of numerous All-Star appearances, the high-flying forward was a walking highlight reel until his knees gave out later in his career.

Richardson was also a part of the We Believe Warriors team, but was in Golden State for six years, giving us dazzling highlights and physics-defying dunks nearly every game.

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