How Mindfulness Fueled the Golden State Warriors' Historic 16-0 Start

The Golden State Warriors made NBA history with a record-breaking 16-0 season opening in 2015-16. This remarkable achievement was built on an unexpected foundation: mindfulness training from sports psychologist George Mumford.

The Warriors' Mindfulness Edge

Key factors in the team's success:

Stephen Curry's "stay in the moment" philosophy - The MVP credited present-moment focus for consistent performance
Coach Steve Kerr's 4 pregame principles:
- Joy
- Mindfulness
- Compassion
- Competition
George Mumford's influence - The sports psychologist who trained Kerr during his playing days

The NBA's Meditation Movement

Mindfulness in basketball isn't new:

Mumford worked with Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson's Bulls
Jackson (11 NBA titles) later brought mindfulness to the Lakers
Jordan now implements similar techniques as Hornets owner

Mumford's Counterintuitive Performance Secret

The sports psychologist teaches athletes to:

Focus on "what you're doing" not "how you're doing"
Tune into bodily sensations during play
Release attachment to outcomes

This approach helped Kerr transition from player to championship coach, winning the 2015 NBA Finals in his rookie coaching season.

Why Mindfulness Works in Professional Basketball

Modern NBA performance requires:

Laser focus during 82-game seasons
Emotional regulation in high-pressure moments
Team cohesion for fluid playmaking

As Mumford explains in The Mindful Athlete, these mental skills are trainable through meditation - giving mindful teams a competitive edge.

With the Warriors' success and more NBA teams adopting these practices, mindfulness may become basketball's next performance revolution.

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Warriors' Record Streak & Mindfulness Secrets