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First Take discuss Golden State Warriors as title contender in 2024

By Peter O'Keefe

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 16: (L-R) Andrew Wiggins #22, Stephen Curry #30, Draymond Green #23 and Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors sit on the bench during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on November 16, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 130-119. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 16: (L-R) Andrew Wiggins #22, Stephen Curry #30, Draymond Green #23 and Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors sit on the bench during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on November 16, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 130-119. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors may have bowed out in disappointing fashion during the second-round of the NBA playoffs, but that doesn’t mean their time winning championships is over according to some.

The 2022 NBA champions have a crucial offseason ahead of them, though are likely to retain their core — led by Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green — that’s led them to four titles in the last nine seasons.

ESPN First Take members are in agreeance on the Golden State Warriors’ capacity to bounce back into lead title contention next season.

In the wake of the Denver Nuggets’ historic 2023 NBA championship on Monday, much attention has already turned to next season and which of the 29 teams could rise up to take the crown from a franchise well-placed to contend for years to come.

Discussing his top 2024 title contenders during ESPN First Take on Tuesday, Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo listed the Warriors as number one on the list ahead of the Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder.

"“I think Golden State’s got one more championship in their bones before they all fade away and discard. I will take Golden State number one”, Russo said."

Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors will look to steal back the championship from the Denver Nuggets next season. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors will look to steal back the championship from the Denver Nuggets next season. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

It’s a controversial take given the Warriors seldom looked like a title-winning team in 2022-23. Plagued by a number of on and off-court issues, Golden State barely avoided the Play-In Tournament in securing the Western Conference’s sixth-seed, before being bounced by the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.

While fellow First Take members J.J. Redick and Stephen A. Smith didn’t quite share the same optimism as Russo, they both felt the Warriors were a top three candidate for next year’s championship at this stage.

Redick had Golden State third behind the Nuggets and Bucks, while Smith placed them behind an all-conquering Denver team who breezed to this year’s title in losing just four games in total throughout their playoff run.

Golden State Warriors’ owner Joe Lacob confident that franchise can get back to the top. dark. Next

While the Warriors have plenty of issues to address over this offseason, it’s clear that the media and others still hold huge belief in their ability to overcome them and return to the same winning ways they’ve developed over the last decade.

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