All-Star Weekend in Toronto was "the coronation of the Warriors as the 'it' team of the NBA," according to Marcus Thompson II of the OAKLAND TRIBUNE. The Warriors "have a season-ticket waitlist 21,000 strong," and merchandise sales are up 552%. The Jan. 25 game against the Spurs was the highest-rated telecast ever on CSN Bay Area, topping the MLB Giants' NL West clincher from '10. The buzz "isn't limited to the Bay Area," as the Warriors "sell more merchandise than any team in the league." They also are a "huge draw on the road and even in another country: The Air Canada Centre was full of Warriors jerseys during All-Star Weekend." The Warriors also "have the best and most popular player in the game" in G Stephen Curry. Even the Warriors' "home court -- and their devoted fans -- have created an environment that leaves opposing players taken aback." NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said, "In a few short years, the Warriors have become not only one of the best teams in the league, but perhaps one of the best teams in NBA history. As a fan, it's been amazing to watch. [Warriors co-Owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber] run a model franchise" (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 2/15).
CHASING HISTORY: The Warriors are on pace to set a regular-season record for wins, breaking the '96 Bulls' mark of 72. Curry said of pursuing the record, "I don't know how many times you're going to be in a position to chase an historical record like that and be a team that everybody remembers. We’ll go after it, but getting the championship will be much more important” ("GMA," ABC, 2/15).
