Golden State Warriors: Back to Business and Back to Cleveland
The Golden State Warriors knew capturing the franchise’s fifth NBA Championship, and second in as many years, would be a daunting task filled with numerous challenges and season defining moments.
The opportunity to face a hungry and desperate Cleveland Cavaliers team on their home court, with an NBA Championship on the line, is the type of challenge these Warriors have embraced and conquered all season, during their historic run towards 73 regular season wins and a NBA record, 88 total victories.
Golden State Warriors
Before the Warriors and Cavaliers first and only regular season meeting in Quickens Loans Arena, two-time league MVP Stephen Curry was asked about the possible emotions he may encounter on his return to the scene, where him and his Warriors teammates captured their first title together.
"“Obviously, walking in the locker room, it’ll be good memories,” Curry said. “Hopefully, it still smells a little bit like champagne.”"
Those comments by the NBA’s single-season three-point record holder got a lot of attention heading into that mid-season January clash in Ohio. Some onlookers (mostly those with Ohio driver licenses) took those comments, as some sort of dig at the Cavaliers and their passionate fanbase. A few weeks earlier on Christmas Day, the Warriors had narrowly defeated Cleveland, 89-83, in a thrilling game on national television.
So Golden State’s return to Cleveland was built up as this great opportunity for the Cavaliers to garner some revenge and get a little payback on the Warriors, and to finally remove that scent of championship champagne of which Curry had been reminiscing. But like most challenges the Warriors faced during the 2015-16 season, they approached it with a laser focus, and proceeded-to pound the Cavaliers by 34 points, 132-98.
In that January tilt, Curry lit up Cleveland with 35 points in just 28 minutes, and Draymond Green filled the stats-sheets with a line of 16 points, 10 assist, and seven rebounds. Green had the type of all-around brilliant game that was to become the staple of his first All-Star season. That type of impact was largely missing in the Warriors underwhelming game-five performance, which saw Lebron James and Kyrie Irving combine for a jaw-dropping 82 points, and forced a game-six in Cleveland on Thursday.
In order for Golden State to avoid a potential game seven, and the anxiety attached to a “Winner take all” scenario, they must approach Thursday’s battle with the mentality that this is their game seven. The thought of a possible game seven at Oracle Arena must not be present or lingering in the back of their minds. The mentality to end the series and raise another Championship banner must be the only motivating factor that drives them.
The Warriors have proven all year long to be a team that comes together and plays its best basketball when faced with adversity, or when skepticism is being hurled their direction from onlookers who have the nerve to question their heart and determination.
When the Warriors take the floor Thursday night, history will be on the line. The chance to repeat as NBA champions, and put the finishing touches on one of the best seasons in NBA history will be staring them in the face. One more opportunity to make doubters and skeptics alike look foolish, but more importantly, a chance to raise another banner and once again leave that distinctive smell of freshly-sprayed champagne in the visiting locker room in Quickens Loans Arena.
These moments are what great championship teams and players look forward to. The chance to separate themselves from their contemporaries and establish their own legacy is once again in the Warriors’ sights.
Next: Draymond Green Suspension Another Roadblock
So if the past is any indication of the type of championship heart that beats under those “blue and gold” jerseys, expect the Warriors to lay it all on the line Thursday night, in their pursuit of NBA immortality.