The Golden State Warriors are still in the fight, even if their record tells a different story.
With a 29-27 standing in late February, this season hasn't exactly gone as planned for the Bay Area faithful. Injuries have taken their toll, consistency is hard to come by, and the room for mistakes is minimal.
This has stirred the usual chatter-suggestions that maybe it's time to tank, drop in the standings, and hope for some lottery luck.
Warriors owner Joe Lacob isn't buying it.
“It’s not in my DNA, nor in this organization’s DNA, to do that,” Lacob stated to Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard. “It’s not a good look.
This is sports. We’re supposed to play to win.”
Lacob was unequivocal.
“That’s just not a way I would be comfortable, ever, trying to improve our team,” he added. “Some of our fans, I’m sure-I hear it all the time-would love us to, whatever you want to call it, lose for a better draft position because they assume we’re not going to win this year.
I could never do that. And I don’t think our coach (Steve Kerr) is built that way or our team.”
The message is crystal clear.
The Warriors are well aware of the uphill battle. But with Stephen Curry still donning their jersey, surrendering isn't on the table. Whether it leads to a first-round exit or something else, Golden State is opting for competition over calculation.