Golden State Warriors Closing in on First Pacific Division Title in 40 Years

By Donald Jackson | Mar 2, 2015

The Golden State Warriors are trying to accomplish something they haven’t done since the 1975-76 NBA season: win the Pacific Division title. It’s been 40 years since the Warriors have ended the NBA regular season as division champions.

Division titles are by no means any team’s primary goal. The ultimate prize is hoisting up that NBA championship banner at the end of the year. Having a raucous parade celebrating a championship is what all sports franchises strive for. There are usually steps in a team’s progression, from playoff contender to championship aspirations. These steps usually include a couple of failed playoff runs to gain that necessary playoff experience many NBA experts feel is needed to become true contenders.

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When the ultimate goal is reached and the championship banner is being raised to the arena’s rafters, that banner is usually draped alongside a division flag or two. However, some teams, such as the Los Angeles Lakers, only hang championship banners and disregard division titles. The Lakers are the extreme, having won 16 World Championships and 23 division titles since the Pacific Division was established at the start of the 1970-71 NBA season.

The Warriors have been the winners of two division titles during that span. Led by Rick Barry, Jamaal Wilkes, and Phil Smith, the Warriors’ 1974-75 season produced their lone West Coast championship. Barry, the MVP of the Finals, and head coach Al Attles brought home the Warriors’ first division title since their move out west in 1962.

The 1975-76 season brought the Warriors their second consecutive division title, but the franchise hasn’t seen one since. The 1991-92 team headed by the duo of Chris Mullin and Tim Hardaway have been the closest to seal the deal on a third division title, as they went 55-27, but they fell two games behind eventual division champions, the Portland Trail Blazers.

Their rivals from Southern California, the Los Angeles Clippers, have won the previous two division titles, and heading into the 2014-15 season, they were heavily favorited to win it again. Many NBA insiders predicted the Clippers to grasp their third consecutive division banner.

In a poll taken by Espn.com experts, 20 of the 28 potential first place votes went towards the Clippers winning the division title, with the Warriors garnishing the remaining eight votes from the insiders. Division titles by no means translate into guaranteed playoff success, but they can be perceived as a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

The Warriors have steadily distanced themselves from the Clippers this year, and after rallying from an early 26-point deficit to overtake the Boston Celtics 106-101 at the TD Garden yesterday, the Warriors hold an eight and a half game lead with just 26 games remaining on their schedule.

It’s a little early to start an official magic number count down. That usually starts when the “magic number” is approaching single digits, not just below 20. The Warriors still have a lot of work ahead before the thought of any potential division clinching games. The goal from here on out is to remain healthy and maintain momentum with the playoffs approaching.

Still, there is no doubt the Warriors’ first division title in 40 years is within grasp. The drought (which is almost forbidden to say in California) may be coming to an end, and the 2014-15 season could be the one that ends with the title of “Division Champions” and so much more.

Next: Andrew Bogut is Key to a Long Playoff Run for the Warriors

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