Well, my prediction proved inaccurate. Frankly, it came as a surprise that the Boston Celtics hardly even put up a serious fight after falling far behind in the first half. The Warriors were just determined to put this one away, and they managed to do so. In the process, they also accomplished a rare feat, becoming only the second road franchise in NBA history to clinch the NBA title in Boston.
Several members of the Warriors mentioned that this title was the sweetest one, as this time, the Warriors had to overcome years of bad luck and injuries. It had appeared several years ago that Golden State’s dynasty might have been on the decline. There was one year where the Warriors were one of the losing teams in the NBA, when they appeared plagued with injuries. So to have overcome that and risen back to the top, to be the cream of the crop once again, truly is a remarkable achievement.
Golden State was led by their biggest star, Steph Curry. One of the big shocks of the night to me was finding out that he had never won the NBA Finals MVP Award before last night, even though this was the fourth time that he had managed to win the NBA title. But there was little doubt that he earned that distinction last night.
If there were any doubts left about Curry truly ranking among the elite players in NBA history – and I cannot fathom why there would be – he answered them definitively with yet another championship season, as well as the exclamation point of the NBA Finals MVP. It was the first time that he won that particular award, although he earned the NBA MVP award twice, and an 8 time NBA All-Star. Additionally, he won two gold medals for the United States at the FIBA World Cup in 2010 and 2014.
As for the Warriors, there can be little doubt left that they are enjoying one of the greatest runs of any franchise in NBA history. This was their sixth NBA Finals appearance in eight years, and they now have won four NBA titles during that span. Few teams have enjoyed as much success in such a concentrated period. We have to discuss the very best of the best teams, like the Lakers of the 1980’s or the Chicago Bulls of the 1990’s, or possibly the San Antonio Spurs of the late 90’s into the 2000’s, although they never managed to win back-to-back NBA championships. The Warriors qualified for five straight NBA Finals from 2015-2019, winning three titles in the first four of them, and adding this fourth one now.
Another member of this Golden State team that made history is head coach Stephen Kerr. This was the 9th time overall that he won an NBA title. He managed to win as a player five times, three with the Chicago Bulls and twice with the San Antonio Spurs. And now, he was earned four more rings as head coach of the Warriors. That allows him to be mentioned among the most successful head coaches in NBA history, as only five other head coaches have won more NBA titles than he has. Phil Jackson tops the list with 11 NBA titles in 11 Finals appearances, split almost evenly between the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers. He is followed by Red Auerbach, who won 9 rings in 11 Finals appearances with the Boston Celtics. John Kundla won five NBA titles in six Finals appearances with the Minneapolis Lakers. Pat Riley won five rings in 9 Finals appearances, winning four with the Lakers and one with the Heat. Finally, Gregg Popovich won five rings in six Finals appearances with the San Antonio Spurs.
Additionally, Kerr’s combined nine rings as both a player and coach over the course of his impressive, illustrious career puts him in truly elite territory. He has won more championship rings than every franchise except for the Celtics and the Lakers. As for individuals, only Pat Riley, Bill Russell, and Phil Jackson have earned more combined rings than has Kerr. Riley won an NBA championship ring as a player with the Lakers in 1972, then won one as an assistant coach in 1980, before winning those five combined rings as head coach. He also won two rings as an executive for the Heat. Bill Russell won 11 rings as a player for the Boston Celtics from 1957 through 1969. Finally, Phil Jackson has earned the most championship rings of any man in NBA history, winning two as a player with the New York Knicks, then winning 11 total as head coach (six with the Bulls, five with the Lakers).
As for franchises, the Golden State Warriors leapfrogged over the Chicago Bulls for third most NBA titles of any franchise with a seventh NBA title in team history. They have now won seven NBA titles in 11 Finals appearances, both of which rank third only behind the Celtics, the franchise that the Warriors topped in this year’s NBA Finals, with 17 championships in 22 appearances, and the Lakers, with 17 championships in 32 appearances.
It is a historical accomplishment from one of the greatest teams in NBA history.
Congratulations to the 2022 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors!
My pick for Game 6: Inaccurate
2022 NBA Champions:
Golden State Warriors
NBA Finals MVP: Stephen Curry
No comments:
Post a Comment