The 2016-2017 NBA Champions, the Golden State Warriors held their first media day ahead of the upcoming season last Saturday at their downtown Oakland facility. The team introduced some of the new players as well as their new “The Town” jerseys.

The new jerseys pay tribute to the team’s over four-decade history in Oakland and will be worn on special occasions. With yellow trimming and a gray base, the jersey displays the city’s oak tree symbol prominently across each player’s chest. NBA all star Klay Thompson modeled the jerseys in several photo shoots for the media. And, as the defending champions and winner of two championships in the past three years, there is a lot of pressure on the team look good on and off the court.

“This year reminds me of two years ago, with the continuity, almost the exact roster coming back,” said Warrior head coach Steve Kerr. “I expect that we’ll be able to get right into camp and make progress right away without having to build too much of the foundation. The foundation is already there.”

One of the new players added to the foundation is Nick Young, a 6-foot-6 wing from USC, who last played for the Los Angeles Lakers. Also called ‘Swaggy P’, Young is a colorful player with charisma and a unique style. He was a key scorer and a solid defender for the Los Angeles Lakers and he will be looked upon to play that role on the Warriors’ second unit.

“For me, the goal is winning,” said Young. He said the team feels like a family atmosphere and that was important in his decision to move.

“They all get along and they all talk from top to bottom,” continued Young. “I think that plays a major role on how they play on the court, too. It’s a family feel. They let you be you. You don’t have to worry about nothing else, just basketball.”

Young’s addition was good news to Kevin Durant.
“His (Young’s) personality fits perfectly,” added Durant. “Nick just always has that energy and excitement with him. It just feels that way every time I see him. So to be able to work with him every day is going to be a joy. And I know his game is going to translate, a guy that can shoot the ball, can score, create for everybody. I’m looking forward to going out there and getting better with him.”

Stephen Curry is the longest- tenured member on the team, as he heads into his eighth year with the Warriors. He said that winning is the focus of the team. Not shots or touches, but winning.

“The way we play, everybody touches the ball,” said Curry. “Everybody is involved, and everybody should be a threat when they’re on the floor. With the high-IQ guys we have on this team, we just find a way for it to blend and work.”

Training camp runs through September with preseason games taking place in October. The regular season has been pushed up and the Warriors will host their first home game of the 2017-2018 season against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, October 17.

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