2017 NBA Finals
Jun 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) hugs Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) after game five of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
From LeBron James and the Golden State Warriors' legacies to a changing of the guard for Kevin Durant, here are five takeaways from the 2017 NBA Finals.
In the third act of a predictable championship matchup, the 2017 NBA Finals also featured a predictable result: The Golden State Warriors winning their second title in the last three years, powered by impressive performances from Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry.
It was what everyone expected dating back to last summer. It was extremely quick and thorough, with the Warriors only losing once in 17 playoff games en route to the title. And it was lacking in drama, especially as we look to next season and prepare to do this again in 2018.
And yet, as predictable as the final destination was, the journey that brought us there was far more intriguing than NBA Twitter would lead you to believe.
No, these Finals weren't "boring," just because a few games ended with lopsided scores or because it ended in five games. No, LeBron James didn't officially slide out of the G.O.A.T. discussion despite falling to 3-5 in the Finals and no, the Warriors aren't bad for the league.
Following Game 5's victory on Monday, these — and several other significant takeaways — need to be covered. From King James' place among the all-time greats to Kevin Durant's ascension to understanding the Warriors' dominance, here are five takeaways from the 2017 NBA Finals.
2017 NBA Finals
Jun 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with forward Draymond Green (23) in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
5. The Warriors are unfair, but they didn't ruin the NBA
We've heard it all before by now. The Golden State Warriors are the 73-win team that came within one win of a championship before adding Kevin Durant over the summer. They're unfair. They're a machine. They're the super-team to end all super-teams. The rest of the league has no hope for the next 3-5 seasons, at least.
Some of that is very true.
The Warriors could very well win the next 3-5 titles, since they have four top-20 players in Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson — all of whom will be locked in for the foreseeable future and still in their primes after this summer.
But even if the final outcome of the 2016-17 NBA campaign was predictable, that's usually the case heading into most NBA seasons. In any given season, there are really only 1-4 teams that are hands down favorites to compete for a title. This season was no different; it's just the gap between them and the rest of the field was much larger than usual.
To say the Warriors ruined the NBA is to overlook the selfless, smart and star-studded brand of basketball that was on display 99 times this season. It downplays how important culture, rabid fan support and individual sacrifice are to creating a winning environment.
From drafting well (Curry, Klay and Draymond) to instituting a defense-first mentality (Mark Jackson) and then coupling it with a fun, free-flowing culture (Steve Kerr) to nailing trades (Andre Iguodala) and free agency acquisitions (KD), the Dubs are a model NBA franchise. They're what other franchises — outside of the San Antonio Spurs and whatever team LeBron James plays on — should aspire to be like.
That goes for both on and off the court. As CBS Sports' Matt Moore detailed, the Warriors' dominance could be good for the NBA. In a copycat league, this team isn't successful only because of its talent. It takes a buy-in from players one through 15.
It takes sacrifice, a team-first mentality, a commitment to defense, a collection of versatile talent, ball movement, off-ball movement, a willingness to make the right pass or the smart play…the list goes on and on.
The 2017 NBA Finals were over in five games, but Games 3 and 5 were superb and extremely competitive, and even Games 1 and 2 were competitive until patented third quarter runs — which, again, featured gorgeous displays of basketball — blew the score wide open.
People may not like the way KD helped destroy parity in the NBA, but why? Was it not LeBron who started the trend of super-teams, albeit on a smaller scale, by joining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami? Is there something wrong with players taking control of their destinies rather than leaving it in the hands of owners and general managers? Does it really matter he "teamed up" with a contender when that contender was easily the best basketball fit?
With another possible Warriors-Cavs matchup coming in 2018, the insane level of shot-making, passing and defense that was on display this year is something worth looking forward to, especially since this was only Golden State's first season with KD. Get used to the Warriors and get over resenting them, because they're not going anywhere any time soon.
2017 NBA Finals
Jun 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter in game five of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
4. Changes are coming in Cleveland
Did we mention that this is a copycat league? Whether he wants to admit it or not, LeBron James originally started this recent super-team trend — when it comes to players taking super-team matters into their own hands, at least.
Don't be surprised if the Cleveland Cavaliers' offseason is a direct response to the impending reign of this Warriors juggernaut.
LeBron James was tremendous in these Finals, perhaps putting forth the best performance of his legendary career in any championship series. But it still wasn't enough to avoid a gentleman's sweep, and the odds are stacked against him from here on out.
At age 32, heading toward a 33rd birthday in December and already sporting more than 50,000 minutes on his NBA odometer, LeBron's window for contending for titles won't be open forever.
The timing of this Warriors dynasty is unfortunate for the King and the Cavaliers, which is why it's probably not surprising to hear rumors about LeBron leaving for Los Angeles down the road.
The Cavs ransacked the East this year, and were still thoroughly outmatched in the Finals. For an all-time great like LeBron James, the question after yet another Finals defeat becomes how his team can improve moving forward.
Whether these L.A. rumors are grounded in fact, in pure fiction or simply represent a ploy from LeBron's camp to make sure Cleveland doesn't sit back on its heels, you can expect the Cavaliers to be active this summer.
The most likely trade candidate is Kevin Love, who would still have some value on the trade market. LeBron and Kyrie Irving are obviously the untouchables, but outside of the Big Three, no one on Cleveland's roster would bring in enough talent to make up that talent gap compared to Golden State.
The Cavs will have a tough time finding the right deal to bring in star talent, and with their salary cap situation, they'll have a hard enough time rounding out the bench, let alone signing a legitimate difference-maker.
Nevertheless, a team with LeBron James in the final few years of his prime will ensure this Cavaliers team is aggressive in pursuing upgrades in any way possible. Everyone knows this group cannot beat the Warriors as currently constructed. Now it's a matter of finding a blueprint to establish equal footing again.
2017 NBA Finals
Jun 7, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots the basketball against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the fourth quarter in game three of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
3. KD and LeBron: A changing of the guard
After Game 3, when the Golden State Warriors had a comfortable 3-0 series lead and the world had Kevin Durant's vicious pull-up three-pointer over LeBron James as its signature moment to point to, there was an implied changing of the guard.
LeBron James has been the best player in the NBA for more than a decade, but ever since his first Finals appearance in 2012, his first MVP award in 2014 and now his first Finals appearance with the Warriors, Kevin Durant has always been his close second.
With that Game 3 dagger over the King, KD submitted the play we'll look back on as the moment the torch was officially passed.
KEVIN. DURANT. @warriors: 116@cavs: 113
12 seconds to play in Game 3. CLE ???? pic.twitter.com/47VReSvRcC
— NBA (@NBA) June 8, 2017
Now, to clarify, LeBron James is still the best individual basketball player on the planet. He may not be winning MVP Awards anymore because he's not in high gear for the regular season, but if you swapped Kevin Durant and King James in this series, the Warriors probably would've won in four even more lopsided games.
You'd also have a hard time convincing people that Kevin Durant is now the greatest player on earth when he's flanked by two-time MVP Stephen Curry and All-NBAers like Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
However, basketball is not played in a vacuum. It's a team game, featuring two ends of the court, and fit within the overall team concept matters. In Cleveland, LeBron is the system. In Golden State, Kevin Durant is a lethal cog in an operational Death Star. That difference may make him more formidable than a soon-to-be 33-year-old LeBron James.
Nike strikes again pic.twitter.com/SesDHfQXz8
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) June 13, 2017
It's slightly unfair to frame the equation that way, and people will continue to downplay KD's game simply because of his superstar teammates. But the simple truth of the matter is the Warriors needed Kevin Durant to win this series, and he delivered on every account.
After being ridiculed for joining the team that knocked him out of the playoffs, Durant silenced every critic in the Finals. He won Finals MVP honors, averaging 35.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.0 steals per game on .556/.474/.927 shooting splits.
Though LeBron averaged a 33-12-10 triple-double for the Finals on .564/.387/.649 shooting splits, until Cleveland bounced back with a Game 4 win to avoid the sweep, the general consensus was that KD was slightly outplaying the King. Game 5 reaffirmed that opinion.
Again, context matters here. Defenses have to pick their poison with the Warriors, and oftentimes that makes life easier on Kevin Durant than is really fair considering his already formidable skill set.
But that fit with this Warriors team also matters in this discussion, and it wasn't like Durant was feasting on wide open looks in this series. Many of the shots he was making, especially down the stretch in Game 5, were tough, contested looks. He entered another zone, seizing the moment in the only way that'd be acceptable for his harshest critics after joining a super-team.
The Dubs make Kevin Durant more dangerous, and vice versa. This Golden State juggernaut isn't going anywhere, and could easily ensure that LeBron James — by all rights a top-five player of all time — never wins a fourth ring.
Kevin Durant joined 2 of the greatest players in NBA history with his combination of scoring titles and a championship pic.twitter.com/vnYlXaqx9K
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 13, 2017
According to ESPN Stats & Info, Durant joined Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, Rick Barry and Elgin Baylor as the only players to score at least 30 points in every game of a Finals series. According to NBA.com/stats, his 176 points were the second-most in any five-game Finals series, trailing only Allen Iverson (178 points in 2001).
The fact that Durant has already become the face of the LeBron resistance movement matters. The Game 3 dagger over the King serving as that signature moment matters. The Finals MVP Award, the defending LeBron for most of the series and the way he put up several huge baskets against him to avenge that 2012 Finals defeat? All of it matters.
In a vacuum, LeBron James is still the best player on the planet. But considering how dangerous and perfect Kevin Durant has become on both ends of the floor with this Warriors team, we are experiencing a torch being passed nonetheless.
2017 NBA Finals
Jun 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a basket against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter in game five of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
2. LeBron and the G.O.A.T. debate
Nothing that happened in the 2017 NBA Finals should change a person's stance on where LeBron James stacks up to Michael Jordan in the "greatest of all time" debate.
Those who believe he's already on equal footing with Jordan will point to eight NBA Finals appearances, seven straight runs to the championship round, becoming the NBA's all-time playoff scoring leader and most of all, the larger context surrounding his ugly 3-5 Finals record.
Those who still hold Jordan in that No. 1 spot (present company included) will find it hard to reconcile all those accomplishments with a 3-5 record in the Finals, even if only one of those losses came with LeBron's team being the favorite.
Most losses in NBA Finals
Jerry West 33
Elgin Baylor 28
LeBron James 27
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 27via @EliasSports
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 13, 2017
On the one hand, King James has faced opponents in the Finals far more formidable than any team Jordan ever faced in the championship round.
His come-from-behind victory over the 73-win Warriors last year, especially for a cursed sports city like Cleveland after trailing 3-1, cemented his place among the all-time greats. No one can ever take that away from him or the Cavaliers, regardless of this year's gentleman's sweep. It may have been the most impressive feat in NBA Finals history.
Hell, even in this year's five-game defeat, LeBron still found a way to make history.
Win or lose, LeBron is special. pic.twitter.com/nffqOPNSkJ
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) June 13, 2017
On the other hand, LeBron is just the fourth player — and first MVP — to lose in five or more NBA Finals, per ESPN Stats & Info. Context included, that matters in the G.O.A.T. debate.
That 2011 Finals loss to the Dallas Mavericks is still a moment his harshest critics point to, even if chalking up his 3-5 record to MJ's unblemished 6-0 Finals mark dumbs the conversation down too much.
Dating back to 2014, each time LeBron James has faced a Finals opponent, that team has been the most challenging foe of his career. That did not change in 2017, and that matters when trying to contextualize his latest Finals defeat.
People expect LeBron James to be perfect, and from an individual standpoint, he comes as close as any player in NBA history not named Michael Jordan. The 2017 NBA Finals will do little to settle the debate on either side.
In such a passionate and subjective debate, that's probably all that could be expected anyway. But if 2017 is just the opening of the floodgates on a Warriors empire, we may remember this Finals series as the beginning of the most damning case against LeBron James as the G.O.A.T.
2017 NBA Finals
Jun 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors players and staff pose with the Larry O'Brien Trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
1. The Warriors and the G.O.A.T. debate
LeBron James is not the only name being mentioned in a "greatest of all time" scenario after the 2017 NBA Finals. With the Golden State Warriors steamrolling their way to the title in such dominant fashion, their stats as perhaps the greatest team of all time has come into question.
Again, it's worth mentioning that this is all subjective, and much like the MJ vs. LBJ debate, at the end of the day, it's all subjective. You could make compelling cases for the 1996 Chicago Bulls (the infamous 72-10 season), 1986 Boston Celtics, 1987 Los Angeles Lakers or 1983 Philadelphia 76ers as well.
But after the latest NBA season, you can add the 2017 Golden State Warriors to that elite list, since they have a compelling case for the greatest team of all time label.
For starters, the Dubs became one of 13 teams in NBA history to win at least 67 games…and they did it with Kevin Durant missing 20 games.
Then, they steamrolled their way through the playoffs with a nearly perfect 16-1 record — the winningest postseason in NBA history, joining the 2001 Los Angeles Lakers and 1983 Philadelphia 76ers as the only teams to lose just one playoff game en route to the title.
Golden State won 15 straight playoff games at one point, the longest postseason win streak in NBA, MLB or NHL history. They also boasted the second-highest point differential in playoff history, all while closing the 2016-17 campaign on an insane 31-2 tear.
Warriors had the 2nd-largest average scoring margin for any team that played at least 5 games that postseason pic.twitter.com/fFzRD9PF5k
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 13, 2017
The Golden State Warriors boasted the best offense in NBA history, plus the stingiest defense in the league when combining the regular season and playoffs.
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Over the last three years, their 254-54 record (including the playoffs) represents the winningest three-year stretch in NBA history. Greater than MJ's Bulls. Greater than the Showtime Lakers or Larry Bird's Celtics. It's no surprise some are already calling them the G.O.A.T.
It's too soon to say for certain, because the Warriors could easily breeze through the 2017-18 NBA season and somehow be a threat to win more games than their record-breaking 73-win season. They could also very easily go 16-0 in the playoffs next year.
Without the 16-0 postseason run this year, and without 73 or 74 wins this season, the raw numbers aren't quite there to boost this team to the undisputed No. 1 spot on the list. In short, this was not the most impressive season in NBA history.
However, bearing in mind the all-around dominance, the playing style, the elite offensive and defensive versatility and the fact that this was only their first season together, the Golden State Warriors are just getting started, and that's a terrifying thought considering their 2016-17 squad already has a legitimate case as the greatest NBA team of all time.
