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Golden State Warriors: 5 reasons they’ll repeat as NBA champions in 2018

By Gerald Bourguet

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
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 /
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Golden State Warriors
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 /

1. 2017 was just the breakthrough

The 2017 NBA Finals featured a changing of the guard. Though LeBron James has lost his fair share of championship series before, it still felt like the association belonged to him for the last decade.

When Kevin Durant hit that dagger three-pointer over the King in Game 3 of this year’s Finals, it was something of a changing of the guard.

The Cavs had taken the 2016 series, but with Kevin Durant in tow, there would be no coughing up a 3-1 lead this time around. Even before the Warriors had a 3-1 lead in this series, KD’s shot over LeBron made that message loud and clear.

It may wind up being the play we look back on as the moment that ushered in a new era.

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/872660773578973186

To be clear, no one is saying that KD is better than LeBron in a vacuum. But basketball isn’t played within a vacuum, and with LeBron turning 33 in December and Durant now firmly entrenched with this already dangerous core, the Golden State Warriors are an established dynasty.

The 2017 NBA Finals were just the beginning. They were the initial breakthrough that could signal the end of the King’s reign. Golden State’s four-man core will be in its prime for the next 3-5 years. Will LeBron really be able to play at a high enough level to challenge them through age 35-37?

The rest of the league will eventually catch up. Young phenoms will enter the league, superstars will join forces as a direct response to this Warriors Death Star and like all great NBA empires, this one will eventually fall.

Next: 5 takeaways from the 2017 NBA Finals

But barring injury, the Warriors will be the golden standard for the next 3-5 years. The Dubs won 67 games and went 16-1 in the playoffs in a season where Durant missed 20 games. After taking some time to get used to playing with one another, this team could be even better next year. The 2017 title was only the beginning.

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