Best of the Best
Finally, the Warriors met their date with destiny. Denied by force of will and circumstance last year, they did what they had to do; they got better for the 2016-2017 season, and then underscored their ascendancy exactly when it mattered. Their hiccup in Game Four of the Finals notwithstanding, they put together an outstanding playoff run that figures to stay the finest ever for a long while — that is, unless they prove able to forge a pristine slate next year. And, make no mistake, they’re built to last, with an unparalleled pool of talents slated to stay the league’s gold standard for the foreseeable future.
Indeed, the Warriors began their campaign in disappointment, but their immediate past failure served only to strengthen their commitment to reclaim their place atop the pro hoops scene. And when the postseason came around, it was clear that only they could beat themselves. It wasn’t simply that they were composed of ridiculously gifted players. It was that they knew how to exceed themselves as a unit. They had a Who’s Who of NBA greats lining their roster, and yet they didn’t care about establishing a pecking order. Rather, they exhibited a readiness to sacrifice of the sake of winning. From the armchair, pundits can argue how easy the championship came for the gifted Warriors. In truth, the pressure was on them to deliver as expected, especially right after they could not. Certainly, they benefited in no small measure from the arrival of former league Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant. Then again, the situation could have led to a digression in performance; after all, there was just one ball to share. And it’s to the credit of resident stars Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson that the ideal manifested itself instead.
Which brings the NBA to where it is now: On the cusp of celebrating a dynasty. The Cavaliers may be the kings of the East, but they figure to absorb luxury tax after luxury tax in order to maintain a hold on what essentially amounts to second place. Meanwhile, the Warriors have turned fiscal prudence and good fortune into sustainable competitiveness. They’re the best of the best — as they should be, and as they will be for some time to come.