Warriors reach third consecutive Finals

The Goldern State Warriors are one of the greatest team in NBA history. After beating the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of their Western Conference Finals, the Warriors punched their ticket to a third straight NBA Finals, something no team had done out of the West since the Los Angeles Lakers back in the 1960s.

For Golden State, this is the culmination of great drafting and a little bit of luck. After being one of the league’s worst teams fo the better part of 30 years, the Warriors found paydirt in the draft. After landing a dream backcourt duo of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in the early to middle parts of the first round, the franchise netted Draymond Green, a forward out of Michigan State who many believed didn’t have a position.

After winning a championship over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team went back to the Finals last year following a record-setting 73-9 campaign. The Warriors took a 3 -1 lead and were ready to take the throne from te 1996 Chicago Bulls as he greatest NBA team in modern history. Then, out of nowhere, Golden State fell to the Cavaliers in three straight games, losing the title in shocking fashion.

This offseason saw another huge addition in first-ballot Hall of Famer Kevin Durant. Durant has been brilliant for the Warriors, giving them another lethal scorer on the outside to fight opponents with. At times, it almost feels unfair. maybe it is.

Now, Golden State is setting more records. Despite playing in a very tough Western Conference, the Warriors are the first team in NBA history to start the postseason with a 12-0 record. Should they sweep the Cavaliers in the Finals, it would make this group arguably the greatest playoff team ever. Of course, it isn’t likely that James is going down in four games (the Cavaliers could not only avoid a sweep but absolutely win the title once more), but the opportunity remains on the table.

Finally, there is history and legacies for this team to consider. A loss in the Finals would seriously damage how the pundits look back on this team. If the Warriors can’t get the job done, they will always be champions but the legacy will feel very unfulfilling. On the other hand, a second championship over James would do wonders for hos history looks back on one of the more explosive teams of all time.

Of all the players, nobody has more to gain than Durant. Ten years into his career and the superstar is without a title. He is now four wins away from getting out of that group of Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing and Karl Malone, the greatest to never win.

Four more games.