Golden State Warriors: Greatest Season In Franchise History?

5. Winning The Pacific

Check.

With a 60-13 record, the Warriors sit proudly atop the Western Conference standings, but they actually locked up the Pacific Division title with their win over the Portland Trail Blazers last Tuesday. Why is that significant?

Well, because the last time the Dubs won the Pacific Division title was during the 1975-76 season.

The Dubs haven’t been a terrible team over that entire span, and the lack of division titles for the Dubs is probably a testament to the impressive sustained dominance of the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns. But any time you accomplish something you haven’t accomplished in 39 years, you’re doing something right.

The last time the Warriors won the Pacific in ’76, Stephen Curry’s father, Dell Curry, was 11 years old. The last time they won the Pacific, they were also eliminated in seven games in the Western Conference Finals by the Phoenix Suns.

But in terms of historical significance, this was the eighth time the Warriors have won their division title (and only the third time they won the Pacific).

Five of the last seven times the Warriors won their division, they went to the NBA Finals (winning twice and losing three times), according to ESPN Stats & Info. When the Dubs won the Pacific exactly 40 years ago, they went on to win the title.

Winning the Pacific was a good start for a team trying to have its best season ever.

Next: No. 4