The San Francisco Warriors were a professional basketball team based in San Francisco, California. They were established in 1946 and were one of the original teams in the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) to form the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team was known for its vibrant blue and gold colors and played its home games at the Cow Palace. In 1962, the franchise changed its name to the Golden State Warriors to represent the entire state of California. The Warriors have had notable players throughout their history, including Wilt Chamberlain and Rick Barry, and have won multiple NBA championships, contributing to their legacy in professional basketball.