Looking back at 5 historic Golden State Warriors players

Rick Barry

Rick Barry was drafted in 1965 right after the Warriors’ move to San Francisco and the retirement of Paul Arizin. Barry started his basketball career with the San Francisco Warriors, averaging 25.7 and 35.6 points per game respectively in his first two seasons.

He was a prolific rebounder, averaging 10.6 rebounds per game in his rookie year. Barry’s presence on the court was felt and much needed by the team, seen in the Warriors’ improvement from 17 to 35 wins after he joined. Barry won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award for the incredible numbers that he put up in his first season.

Fast forward to Barry’s 1975 NBA Championship, the Golden State Warriors’ win over the Washington Bullets is widely considered one of the biggest upsets in basketball history. They swept the eastern team, comprised of Hall of Famers Elvin Hayes and the late Wes Unseld, winning the series 4-0. Barry also won the NBA Finals MVP that year.

In addition to being an NBA champion and Finals MVP, Barry was an eight-time NBA All-Star for his years with the Warriors before being leaving as a free agent to Houston Rockets in 1978. Rick Barry’s No. 24 jersey was retired by the Golden State Warriors and he inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.