I still remember the feeling walking into Oracle Arena during that 2017 playoff run—the electricity in the air was something you could almost taste. As someone who's followed the Warriors' journey from their struggling years to becoming an NBA powerhouse, I've come to understand what that reference about "years of glory and perseverance" truly means. It wasn't just about stacking talent; it was about building something lasting, that "unrivaled winning tradition" that de Leon isn't taking for granted, and frankly, neither am I.
The 2016-2017 season felt like redemption from the moment training camp began. After that heartbreaking Finals loss to Cleveland the previous year, followed by the stunning acquisition of Kevin Durant, the pressure was astronomical. I recall talking with fellow Bay Area journalists about whether this superteam could actually work, or if egos would derail everything. What we witnessed instead was basketball perfection—the kind that comes from years of building, not just buying. Steve Kerr's system, which had been developing since 2014, finally had all the pieces it needed. The ball movement was breathtaking, the defensive rotations seamless. They weren't just winning; they were revolutionizing how the game could be played.
What made that championship particularly special was how they dominated the playoffs. Going 16-1 in the postseason wasn't just impressive—it was historically unprecedented. I still argue with my colleagues about whether any team in modern NBA history has looked more invincible. Their average margin of victory was something ridiculous, around 13.5 points per game if memory serves me right. The sweep through the Western Conference against Portland, Utah, and San Antonio felt inevitable, but it was the Finals rematch against Cleveland where they truly cemented their legacy.
Game 3 of the Finals stands out in my memory—that comeback victory in Cleveland might have been their most impressive win of the entire postseason. Down by six with under three minutes left, they showed the championship DNA that had been building for years. Kyrie Irving was spectacular that night, dropping 38 points, but the Warriors' collective will proved stronger. Kevin Durant's go-ahead three-pointer over LeBron James with 45 seconds left remains one of the most iconic shots I've ever witnessed live. That moment wasn't just about one player; it was about an entire organization's commitment to excellence finally paying off at the highest level.
The clinching Game 5 back at Oracle was pure catharsis. The final score of 129-120 doesn't fully capture how dominant they were when it mattered. Durant finished with 39 points, securing his first championship and Finals MVP, while Stephen Curry added 34 points and 10 assists. What struck me most wasn't the statistics but the emotional release—seeing Andre Iguodala, who had been there through all the ups and downs, embrace Draymond Green as the confetti fell. These weren't just mercenaries collecting rings; they were the culmination of that "unrivaled winning tradition" born from years of shared struggle and growth.
Looking back, what made the 2017 Warriors special was how they balanced individual brilliance with collective purpose. Yes, they had four All-Stars, but they played with a selflessness that's rare at that level. Their offensive rating of 115.6 during the regular season remains one of the highest in league history, and their net rating of +11.6 was simply absurd. More than numbers though, they played with joy—the kind that comes from knowing you're part of something bigger than yourself.
That championship set the standard for what modern team basketball could achieve when talent meets system, when individual greatness submits to collective excellence. The tradition they built didn't happen overnight; it was forged through those early playoff exits, that record-breaking 73-win season that ended in disappointment, and finally, the perfect redemption arc of 2017. Even now, watching highlights from that playoff run gives me chills—not just because of the basketball, but because of what it represented: the beautiful culmination of years of building, believing, and ultimately, achieving immortality.
