Series may have been easier than the season
The third time is the hardest. At least that’s what the Warriors said.
Before securing their third NBA championship in four years, a triumph that brought with it dynasty recognition, the Warriors endured injuries, doubt, two elimination games in the Western Conference finals against the Rockets, plus the almost absurd expectations that this title was a given. That was a lot to tolerate.
And then in the second week…
“This year was pretty crazy in general with all that we went through with injuries and the struggles throughout the regular season,” said Stephen Curry, who finished second in the voting to repeat winner Kevin Durant for the Finals MVP award. “Looking at this playoff journey, we knew it wasn’t going to be as easy as last year when it comes to our record. Then the challenges that faced us.”
Nevertheless, they endured through Friday’s 108-85 romp over the Cavaliers for the 4-0 Finals sweep. And they are the odds-on favorites to endure next year. Durant said he will re-sign with Golden State, and if Curry and Klay Thompson and Draymond Green don’t run off and join a cult, the Warriors probably will be talking next June about how the fourth one is always the hardest.
All four of the Warriors’ consecutive Finals came against LeBron James and the Cavaliers — with only the 2016 series a failure. That came after Cleveland rallied from 3-1 down, helped enormously by Green’s fifthgame suspension. Get a do-over on that suspension slip-up, and the Warriors could be talking four straight titles. Regardless, 2018 likely still would rank as the toughest.
“Extremely difficult,” was how Green, the emotional heart and soul of Golden State, described the latest journey. “Not just the playoff run, this entire season. You’re coming off a championship and you’re expected to get back to that level for Game 1 of 82. … Guys missed time. All the injuries we went through while going through that grind of trying to get back to this position was extremely tough.
“We pride ourselves on our depth, and at different times in the season, our depth stepped up. Even throughout the playoffs.”