The Warriors were also one of the NBA's founding teams, having begun play in the BAA in 1946. Before 1962, the team was based in Philadelphia and was called the Philadelphia Warriors. From 1962 to 1971, the team moved to San Francisco and became the San Francisco Warriors. In 1971, the team moved again to Oakland, California, and was renamed the Golden State Warriors.
Not only did the Warriors move frequently, they changed arenas just as often. Throughout their history, the team had changed arenas eight times, often bouncing back and forth between several venues, staying at one for a year and another for two. Their arena history alone could have filled an entire book.
This year, the Warriors' home court was San Jose Arena, as their usual home arena in Oakland was under renovation.
At San Jose Arena, the Lakers and Warriors game was underway.
The Lakers' starting lineup was unchanged, while the Golden State Warriors started PG Mark Price, SG Latrell Sprewell, SF Chris Mullin, PF Joe Smith, and C Felton Spencer.
Also sitting on the Warriors' bench were B. J. Armstrong, the starting point guard from the Bulls' first three-peat dynasty, and this year's eleventh overall pick, Todd Fuller, a 2.11-meter traditional American center.
The Warriors looked very strong on paper, but their current record was just 3-6. Everyone in the organization was deeply dissatisfied, and rumors had it that Rick Adelman would be the second coach fired.
Kobe was not surprised by the Warriors' record. The team's two core players, Latrell Sprewell and Chris Mullin, were incompatible. The newcomer refused to respect the veteran, while the veteran disliked the newcomer. The team's terrible chemistry ensured they achieved nothing.
On top of that, their point guard Mark Price was a 32-year-old white veteran standing only 1.83 meters