Warriors display all the vital pieces to repeat as NBA champs; now the challenge is fitting them together

Every member of the deep Golden State roster had a moment to shine in Tuesday's win over the Lakers

SAN FRANCISCO -- The whole thing had kind of a high school graduation feel. But instead of a 16-cent paper diploma from Kinko's, the Golden State Warriors received championship rings -- well, "medallions," as head coach Steve Kerr dubbed them because of their gargantuan girth -- complete with 16 carats of yellow and white diamonds.

One by one, the instruments of what some members of the organization called the most meaningful of the team's four championships over the last eight seasons were called forward to receive their bejeweled symbols of their accomplishment. As each player was announced, from Quinndary Weatherspoon to Juan Toscano-Anderson to Stephen Curry, memories of their contributions, no matter how big or small, flooded the arena. The Warriors' motto, "Strength in Numbers," is never more evident than on ring night.

The roll call didn't stop there, however. As the Warriors marched to a 123-109 victory over LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, the first night of the 2022-23 NBA season, each significant member of the roster that hopes to hoist yet another Larry O'Brien Trophy next June got a chance to audition their skills.