Decade after ‘We Believe,’ returning for celebration
Q: Why do the Warriors mean so much to you? A: We’ve all played for a lot of teams, but not every team makes you feel like you’re a family. Not all organizations make you feel appreciated for what you’ve done for the organization. Things ended kinda rocky for me, but most people respected it because I wanted to win, and anytime someone wants to win, that’s respected. I think when we came there, we all were journeymen, we all wanted to feel appreciated and we all appreciated each other, and it turned into something great. To have a coach like Don Nelson who believed in all of us and gave us all the confidence made it all work in the end. Q: (Vice President of Communications) Raymond Ridder has invited you, Baron Davis, Jason Richardson and Al Harrington to a second-round game to get a 10-year (anniversary) standing ovation from the crowd. Are you fired up for that? A: That is unbelievable. I just got that text message and I couldn’t reply quick enough. I can’t wait to be there, to be in that place, in that atmosphere. It was a special time, and I think the bay is still kinda rocking from that time when we played there and for them to wanna honor us 10 years later for that “We Believe” year is exciting, and it’s good to have all the guys back together in that arena. With Matt (Barnes) playing right now, we feel a part of that team. Q: (We) still talk about the volume and intensity in that “We Believe” year, and even to this day, that intensity hasn’t been matched. A: It was something that hasn’t been done, but it was the birth of something. It was the birth of small ball, the birth of “We Believe.” That “We Believe” team taught the fans that anything is possible, that you always have to believe. These guys took what we had done and took it to a whole other level. We definitely started it, we got the city rocking, we got that attitude of never giving up, believing in each other and any opportunity we have, we have a chance to win it. It was just special. Q: Are you thinking this Warriors-Cavs thing has to go down in June? A: I want it to go down. I want Golden State to be there and avenge that loss from last year. I want (Kevin Durant) to get a championship. I want Mike Brown to get one as a coach. I even want it for the city because the Bay Area’s been so good to me. I hope it happens. I hope it works, and I’m pulling for those guys, definitely. Q: Is there anybody in the West that can slow these Warriors down? A: I can honestly say that the way Mike Brown and Steve Kerr have these guys playing defense — they’re gonna make shots — but if they continue to play defense the way they’re playing defense, then nobody can stop them because nobody can stop them from scoring.