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Golden State Warriors and their lofty golden standard

ByJeffery Stephens|
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - MAY 16: Stephen Curry #30, Klay Thompson #11 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 114-111 in game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 16, 2019 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - MAY 16: Stephen Curry #30, Klay Thompson #11 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 114-111 in game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 16, 2019 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Last night, the Golden State Warriors advanced to their fifth straight NBA Finals in a 119-117 overtime win in Portland.

The Golden State Warriors are the only team since the Bill Russell lead Celtics to go to five straight finals. In a game where the Warriors were down by 17 points, their championship spirit and resolve once again rear its beautiful head.

In what I would call the most trying, drama-filled season of their historic run, the Golden State Warriors have found a way to fight their way back to the biggest stage of the NBA. The franchise is lightyears ahead of where they were when the fans were screaming obscenities and hitting Joe Lacob with some of the most passionate boo’s I’ve ever heard.

During this run, the Warriors have not only dominated the league but for the most part, they’ve made it look easy. Having done so with a core of mostly homegrown talent has made this run more personal for the fans in my opinion.

When you watch guys like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green go from the underdogs to All Stars it has a different feeling than if this was a team made of free agents.

Those guys have a sense of family that you can see from the outside looking in. A sense of family that you don’t see too often anymore in sports. Kevin Durant wasn’t drafted by the Warriors but he is a part of that close-knit family that the Warriors front office has put together.

The dust-up between Durant and Draymond got a lot of publicity because it was so out of character for this group of guys. And even with that dust-up, from all accounts, those two has solved their differences enough to still have that brotherly comradery on the court.

Steve Kerr has had one of the best runs of any coach, in any sport making the NBA Finals five out of his five first years. We have to give credit where credit is due and mention the job Mark Jackson did with this franchise early on.

Not only did he empower Steph and Klay to be the sniper team they are today, but he also helped change a severely broken culture and got a young Warriors team to understand the importance of defense.

I feel like Steve Kerr took that empowerment and change of culture, and put it to work in the form of X’s and O’s. Kerr obviously has the championships and will get the credit but both coaches played a huge part in getting this team to where they are today.

From worst to first, rags to riches, laughing stock to the gold standard. This group of players, coaches and upper management is special, and regardless of what happens this offseason, it has been a true joy to watch them chase greatness and form a dynasty on the way.

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