The
San Francisco Warriors were a professional basketball team based in
San Francisco,
California, that competed in the National Basketball Association (
NBA) from
1962 to
1971. The franchise was originally established as the
Philadelphia Warriors in
1946 and was one of the league's inaugural teams. Led by some of the game's greatest players during its early years, including Wilt Chamberlain, the team achieved considerable success, winning two championships in
Philadelphia.
In
1962, the Warriors made a significant move to the West Coast and became the
San Francisco Warriors. The relocation was driven by a desire to tap into the emerging market of
California and capitalize on the region's growing interest in professional basketball. The team continued to be a force in the league during their tenure in
San Francisco, making multiple playoff appearances and boasting some of the most iconic players of their era.
Despite their successes, financial difficulties and declining attendance in
San Francisco led to the franchise's eventual relocation. In
1971, the team moved across the bay to
Oakland, where they became the
Golden State Warriors. The change in name reflected the team's intention to represent the entire state of
California and not just one specific city. This move revitalized the franchise, and the
Golden State Warriors went on to achieve even greater success, winning multiple championships and becoming one of the most dominant teams in
NBA history.