Warriors ready to play the villain

The Warriors aren’t worried about winning a popularity contest, which is good, because they’re going to lose.

They are resented by many for their art and for their politics. Double whammy.

The Warriors’ three-season run of success and breakthrough artistry has already engendered significant contempt (jealousy?) from many fans and players around the league.

Now they have to contend with the White House issue, too. The Warriors didn’t want to go. And the president didn’t want them to come. To many, that will make the Bay Area’s beloved Dubs the poster team for too-cute entitlement, anti-patriotism and ingratitude.

Don’t worry. the Warriors are ready for the hate. I won’t say they embrace it — al-

though I believe many of them welcome the chance to have a voice in what’s happening in America — but they are prepared.

And guess what? This is going to work to their advantage.

Sports teams often try to invent a scenario of being hated and disrespected. The Warriors won’t have to pretend. The disrespect will be real. If they win the championship this season, they should consider sending a ring to the president, to acknowledge his contribution to their motivation. The players know what’s coming. “That’s just kind of how it goes with success, right?” Shaun Livingston said after practice Wednesday. “Anytime you’re successful at something, people start to take notice. And with that, you kind of inherit responsibilities . ... I think we’re all mature enough to understand that and handle it accordingly.” As for the political element? “That’s why a lot of times people say don’t mix the two (sports and politics). But we’re not in normal, ordinary times. We accept all responsibility, we’re all accountable for our actions. We embrace (the opportunity to express opinions). We obviously talk about it collectively, we make our decisions collectively. Each man has his own voice, but we all stand for something. If we’re going to stand for something, we’re going to do it together.”

And that will make them stronger.

The Warriors couldn’t have dodged political controversy if they wanted to. And I don’t think they wanted to, although they’ll probably enjoy their trip to China, where the focus is likely to be more on basketball.

Steve Kerr isn’t going to be blindsided by outside negativity. How can he be? He’s one of the main reasons some people dislike the Warriors — their head coach won’t shut up about politics. Never mind that at one point Kerr was a proponent of his team taking a high road — visiting the White House in hopes of breaking through the hate and maybe even being heard.

When it comes to love and hate, Kerr knows the deal.

“We got plenty of that (negativity) last year,” he said with a shrug Wednesday. “And even the year before. The only time I felt like we were sort of the fresh, fun story was the first year, when people didn’t expect us to win the championship. Since then, we’ve been a target. So opposing fans, they’re going to let us have it. And it’s a fun position to be in.”

Fun? Exactly. It’s not that the Warriors set out to be villains. They enjoyed the heck out of being the funnest team in sports. But they’ll do a judo-like trick with any criticism — they’ll take the blows and turn them to their advantage.

I asked general manager Bob Myers how it feels to be running the most hated team in sports.

“Beloved and reviled at the same time,” Myers mused. Exactly. “I don’t know,” said Myers, a realist but not the type of man who embraces negative vibes. “I’m learning what that feels like. It’s interesting times for everyone. For me, growing up here, just to be relevant is kind of a new concept . ... Most of this stuff is uncharted territory, even our success. How do you operate in success, how do you operate in this political climate? You kind of do your best.”

When the White House controversy arose, Myers asked of the players only that they carefully consider all angles, talk it through, and be able to intellectually and morally justify their actions.

“I don’t profess to have all the answers,” Myers said. “I don’t think our organization does. But we want to try to be humane and treat people the right way, whether we agree or not. I prefer not to be divisive, but sometimes it’s difficult. “Got any ideas, let me know.” Watch your in-box, Bob, for my 10-page manifesto.