Golden State Warriors are one of the best team in the league last two years (Champions 2015 and NBA Finals 2016), and they have maybe the strongest lineup in the NBA right now with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green.

When we look at the Warriors’ history, we can see they played four times NBA Playoffs in the row. Since then, the Warriors fans enjoy and they expect another ring next season. I understand them, they have a great team, they have Steph Curry and Kevin Durant, and they only have to beat San Antonio Spurs (or the Clippers maybe) and LeBron James if they want to win another NBA title.

But, it wasn’t always joying to watch Golden State Warriors. Young fans probably remember just Stephen Curry Era, but what if we check Warriors history in the last 25 years?

From the season 1992/93 to 2011/12 (20 years), they played only two times in the NBA Playoffs. Wait, what? Yes, check their history and you will see what I’m talking about.

What do you think, how many mistakes they made during 20-year span?

They had ten picks from Top 10 of the NBA Draft from the season 1992/93 to 2011/12.

Let’s check their biggest mistakes and how many good players they missed so far.

5. NBA Draft 2005

In the 1st round (9th pick) of the 2005 NBA Draft they selected Ike Diogu. He played only 69 games for the Warriors and he scored only 7 points per game. In January 2007, they traded him after just one season.

Who they missed in the NBA Draft 2005?

Honorable mention: Danny Granger (17th pick) and Nate Robinson (21st pick)

Steal of the Draft 2005: Monta Ellis (40th pick – Golden State Warriors)

The best pick after Ike Diogu:

Andrew Bynum (10th pick): 8 seasons in the NBA, 2 x NBA Champion (2009, 2010) with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was one of the best centers in the league, but after many injuries, he is not in the league anymore.

4. NBA Draft 2002

In the 1st round (3rd pick) of the 2002 NBA Draft they selected Mike Dunleavy. He played four seasons with the Golden State Warriors and his best season was 2004/05, when he scored 13.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

Who they missed in the NBA Draft 2002?

Honorable mention: Nene Hilario (7th pick) and Caron Butler (10th pick)

Steal of the Draft 2002: Tayshaun Prince (23rd pick)

The best pick for the Warriors was:

Amar’e Stoudemire (10th pick): He was one of the best power forwards in the last 15 years. He had a great career with Phoenix Suns, and with Steve Nash they played the best pick and roll in the league. In the season 2004/05, he scored 26 points per game with 8.9 rebounds.

3. NBA Draft 2010

In the 1st round (6th pick) of the 2010 NBA Draft, the Warriors drafted Ekpe Udoh. He played only 96 games for the Warriors (2010/11 and 2011/12) and that is it. He was five years in the NBA and now he is playing in the Europe for Fenerbahce Istanbul.

Who they missed in the NBA Draft 2010?

Steal of the Draft 2010: Hassan Whiteside (33rd pick)

Honorable mention: Greg Monroe (7th pick), Eric Bledsoe (18th pick)

Who was the best pick for the Warriors?

Paul George (10th pick) was the best selection for the Warriors that night, but they decided to select Ekpe Udoh.

Just 6 years later, Paul George is one of the best players in the league.

2. NBA Draft 1997

In the 1st round (8th pick) of the 1997 NBA Draft, the Warriors selected Adonal Foyle. He spent 9 years with the Warriors, but he wasn’t so good in the NBA. He was a player from the bench and his best season was 2000/01, when he scored 5.9 points with 7.0 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.

Steal of the Draft 1997: I found just Boby Jackson (23rd pick)

Who was the best pick for the Warriors?

Tracy McGrady, ladies and gentlmen. The Warriors selected Adonay Foyle instead of T-Mac. He was one of the best scorers in the NBA (last 20 years), and he was two times NBA scoring champion (2003, 2004).

1. NBA Draft 1995

In the 1st round (1st pick) of the 1995 NBA Draft, Golden State Warriors selected Joe Smith. Yes, he was a good player, but just check what kind of players they missed 21 years ago.

Steal of the Draft 1995: Michael Finley (21st pick)

Honorable mention: Rasheed Wallace (4th pick) and Jerry Stackhouse (3rd pick) and Antonio McDyess (2nd pick)

But, who was the best pick for the Warrios?

Kevin Garnett. Yes, Kevin Garnett. He is one of the best power forwards in the NBA history and they didn’t selected him.

He was and he is the biggest mistake for the Warriors in the last 20-25 years.