Golden State Warriors: A story of unyielding selflessness
Did the Golden State Warriors have the most talented team during the 2021-22 NBA season? You could debate it. But what can’t be argued is the level of talent parity, with no team laying claim to having a distinctive and superior advantage across the league.
That parity paves the way for other aspects to be just as crucial to team success – coaching, playoff experience and team chemistry.
The unselfish and team-first nature of the Golden State Warriors, led by Finals MVP Stephen Curry, catapulted them to a fourth NBA title in eight seasons.
That’s why the Warriors were eventually crowned the best team of the season, not because of overwhelming talent, but because of the individual selflessness to the team and more importantly each other.
That kind of unselfish mentality starts at the top, with Curry often described as the most selfless superstar the league has ever seen. He took a backseat when Kevin Durant arrived in 2016, sacrificing individual plaudits in order to win championships.
Fast-forward to this championship and yes, he’s the offensive engine who’s once again receiving the deserved recognition for his greatness. But even look at the defensive side of the ball, with Curry visibly getting stronger in recent years as he’s separated himself from the tag of a ‘weak and exploitable’ defender.
He’s done that to help himself and his team win another championship, knowing full well that without Durant, talent alone wouldn’t conquer the league.
Even in the immediate aftermath of his crowning moment, Curry still sought a team-first approach rather than be singled out. When he sat down for his post-game interview, the first question he received was “what does this mean to you to finally be a Finals MVP?”
Curry vehemently replied even before the question finished – “Forget that, we champs! Why you start with that question? We got four championships!” He smacked both hands against the desk, his frustration genuine in an otherwise exhilarating moment of joy.
When the leader, the best and most successful player in franchise history, is that team-focused, then it clearly has a trickle-down effect and can become infectious among teammates and anyone within the organization.