The Golden State Warriors enter the 2026-27 season understanding that not much is expected of them, and they seem to be at peace with that. Head coach Steve Kerr is preaching a return to basics and fundamentals while dodging questions about expectations, but the fact that the team is returning to an old motto may show that this dynasty really has run its course.
Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic noted that the Warriors are invoking the "Strength In Numbers" motto from the start of the dynasty.
"Even 'Strength In Numbers' is back, their old motto from the dynasty’s origins. Kerr said they’ll use the whole roster, including players on two-way contracts. No more shoehorning talents into their championship style," Thompson wrote.
Warriors recyling old motto proves dynasty has run its course
Recycling old ideas is a pretty surefire sign that the Warriors may simply not have a way out of their current mediocrity, at least not under the current regime.
This isn't an attack on Kerr or anyone, but it is an open queston whether a return to the basics is what is best for Golden State going forward. Kerr came back not to desperately go after another championship, but because he wants to leave the Warriors in a good position for whenever he, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green do decide to depart.
That's a noble goal, but given how much the NBA has changed in the last decade plus, in no small part due to the impact Curry and the Warriors have had on revolutionizing the sport, wouldn't it make more sense for fresh and new ideas?
Warriors are trying some new ideas, but it may be too late
To be fair, it's not like the Warriors are doing everything exactly the same. Kerr is trying to implement a new offense that is more in keeping with what the rest of the NBA runs, but it's fair to wonder how possible that will be with so many older veterans on the roster and guys like Curry and Green who are used to doing things a certain way.
They're trying to blend this "return to the basics" approach with an attempt to follow the rest of the NBA. Maybe that's a wise approach and it's certainly worth a shot given the lack of overall star talent that is on the roster, but it just feels more like a desperate attempt to try to remain relevant when the reality is the Warriors may be more of an afterthought in the NBA than they've been in a long time.
Sometimes a return to your roots is a wise strategy, but in the case of the Warriors it just feels like they're throwing ideas at the wall to see what sticks, knowing full well they don't have enough talent to make any sort of meaningful run.
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