Kurtenbach: The Warriors’ 2023-24 goal — do the opposite of everything they did last season

Golden State Warriors: Steve Kerr and Mike Dunleavy preach ‘connectivity’ ahead of the 2023-24 season.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Warriors have a theme for the 2023-2024 season, and it is not subtle.

This upcoming campaign is all about connectivity for the Dubs.

Last year, the Warriors were disconnected, what with their two-timeline conundrum and the punching of teammates at training camp.

That lack of understanding and trust manifested itself on the court, resulting in the team’s second-round exit — its first in the Western Conference playoffs under coach Steve Kerr.

In retrospect, it was all so obvious.

So this offseason was all about getting the Warriors to sing in unison again.

While changing general managers and adding the team’s sworn rival to the roster appear to be risky moves in the midst of such a mandate, Kerr and the new GM, Mike Dunleavy Jr., believe this team will avoid the pitfalls of dysfunction this season.

However, reuniting the Warriors begins with ensuring a strong working relationship between the head coach and general manager. They must lead by example.

When it came to those roles in the NBA, Kerr and former president of basketball operations Bob Myers had a relationship that was second to none. Away from the game, the two were close friends who worked in tandem. While it didn’t mean much last season, the Warriors relied on that relationship for nearly a decade.

Dunleavy has a tough act to follow. At the very least, the power dynamic between the front office and the coaching staff has shifted, with Kerr having far more experience.

So, how do Kerr and Dunleavy get along? On Monday, I asked both men.

Myers’ vote of confidence in Dunleavy was all Kerr needed.

“I think I could not ask for a better new partner than Mike, given that Mike and Bob are best friends,” Kerr stated. “Over the last few years, [Bob] was able to groom Mike.” Mike and I have become friends. We’ve spent a significant amount of time together. We share a lot of values in terms of who we think will win, what kind of player, and what kind of team.”

“I’ll probably lean on him in a lot of different ways,” Dunleavy said of Kerr. “He’s previously held this position as a general manager.” So he can and has already provided some excellent insight, and I will continue to assist and support him in any way I can.”

So that’s all right. What about the team now?

We’ll get a better sense of things next Monday, when the team hosts a media day, but Kerr and Dunleavy appear encouraged by the players’ offseason efforts.

And both have been inspired by the new guy’s demeanor.

When Chris Paul was traded to the Warriors in July, it’s safe to say he was not a fan of the team.

But he wasn’t Jordan Poole, and his career timeline is much more in line with the Warriors’ veterans, so he’s now in blue and gold. (His shorter contract term also contributed to his selection as a Warrior.)

When Paul took a 6 a.m. Southwest flight from Southern California to participate in a Chase Center workout with Steph Curry and the other Warriors, he also had no connection.

Ignoring the inherent comedy of a longtime Warriors rival purchasing a “Wanna Get Away” ticket so he can practice with his new teammates, it’s sacrifices like these that have Warriors brass optimistic about the Dubs’ ability to gel early.

“They have it. “They know we were a little discombobulated last year, especially as the season progressed, and everyone knows we need to fix it,” Dunleavy said. “We are in a good place in that area, but you’ve got to keep it going.”

Training camp, which was an afterthought for this organization during the salad days, will be crucial this season. The Dubs must keep the positive vibes going. This season, they must lay a solid foundation. They need to get through a few weeks of practice without getting into fights.

The Warriors’ poor start to last season — and all the obvious reasons for it — created a hole for the team, which they remained in throughout the season.

“I believe we need a good training camp.” “I believe it is critical that we get off to a better start this year, not just in terms of record, but also in terms of preparation,” Kerr said. “I believe that when a team is not well-connected, that lack of connection will be revealed on the road, and I believe that is what happened last year….That’s why I’m going to keep talking about this connection and how we need to bond and come together right away in order to get off to a good start.”

Yes, the Warriors intend to do the polar opposite of everything they did during the preseason last year.

As a result, the fate of their regular season — and possibly postseason — should change as well.