5 takeaways from the 2017 NBA Finals

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” conversation after the 2017 NBA Finals. With the Golden State Warriors steamrolling their way to the title in such dominant fashion, their status as perhaps the greatest team of all time has come into the spotlight.

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 a matter opinion and which variables you consider to be more important.  You could make compelling cases for the 1996 Chicago Bulls, 1986 Boston Celtics, 1987 Los Angeles Lakers or 1983 Philadelphia 76ers here as well.

But after the latest NBA season, you can add the 2017 Golden State Warriors to that elite list, since they have a strong 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 (15-1) and 1983 Philadelphia 76ers (12-1) 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.

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, 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 and make this a moot point 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.

More hoops habit: NBA Finals History: Ranking The Last 50 Champions

That’s a terrifying thought considering their 2016-17 squad just rendered an all-time performance from LeBron James insignificant, and the Dubs already have a legitimate case as the greatest NBA team ever.