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Golden State Warriors: 5 Toughest playoff opponents of the decade

By Tony Pesta

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors brings the ball up the court against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2013 NBA Playoffs on May 16, 2013 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors brings the ball up the court against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2013 NBA Playoffs on May 16, 2013 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. 2016 NBA Finals – Cleveland Cavaliers

Series results: Cavaliers win 4-3

Since the 2014-15 playoffs, the Golden State Warriors have appeared in 16 different playoff series. The 2016 NBA Finals is the only one of those series in which the Warriors did not emerge victoriously.

This is mainly because of the historic performances from LeBron James and Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers. James led both teams in all six major statistical categories as he carried the Cavaliers back from being down 3-1 in this series.

Meanwhile, Irving delivered timely clutch plays and had one of the greatest offensive games in NBA Finals history. In Game 5, Irving and James combined for a record-breaking 82 points. This duo proved to be too much for the Warriors.

Game 7 was perhaps the greatest game in NBA history. The final game of the series came down to the final seconds. The game was up for grabs at any point, which made it extremely tense. A crucial block and 3-point shot were the deciding factors for Cleveland.

If not for the superhuman play of James and Irving, the Warriors would likely be in the midst of a five-peat right now.

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Still, the series was one of the greatest matchups of all-time. Stephen Curry and LeBron James battled to see who was the best player in the league. The greatest regular season team of all-time, playing against arguably the greatest player of all-time. As a whole, the series was decided by just four points.

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