Warriors Show Cracks By Sweeping Blazers
OAKLAND, CA — The Warriors have earned their fifth straight trip to the finals in row when they swept the Trailblazers Monday night. The only other team to go to the NBA Finals five times in a row is the Boston Celtics when they went a whooping ten straight times between 1957 and 1966. However, are the cracks beginning to show in the Warriors dynasty? Despite being swept by Golden State, the Blazers led for more minutes of the series than the Warriors did. Portland blew their opportunities to win Game 2 on the road and Game 4 at home. If Portland shoots just a little bit better from the field, then the series is tied 2-2 and going back to Oakland. The Warriors nearly dropped two games to the third place team in the Western Conference. In 2017, the Warriors only lost one game in the entire NBA playoffs (to LeBron James’s Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals). Last year, Golden State lost five games in the postseason. The team has already lost four games and that is before they play one of the toughest Eastern Conference challengers in recent memory. Two losses in the Finals will suggest a clear regression in the dominance of basketball’s foremost dynasty.
If the Warriors lose their best player, Kevin Durant, to free agency their entire system could be upended. This Warriors team has only won one championship without Durant. If Golden State manages to win the championship this year with Durant on the bench, then the team MIGHT be able to compete as a dark horse title contender next year when he’s gone. However, the brutal Western Conference and the surging Eastern Conference might have something to say about that. Expert NBA analysts and fans weigh in on the future of Golden State’s dynasty:
Color commentator trying to fill up airtime during the football offseason:
“Good things must always come to an end…And that’s why I’m predicting the Warriors will be the fourth best team in the West next season. Durant is going to leave in free agency to play for the New York Knicks because who wouldn’t want to play for James Dolan? I’m not sure this team will remember how to win without him. Second round exit to the Clippers is an absolute BEST CASE scenario.”
Former NBA journeyman and notorious contrarian:
“To be honest, I was never sold on Golden States and their “dynasty.” Always seemed a bit overrated to me. Michael Jordan’s Bulls would beat them in four games on the road. Back in the day, teams were tough. Warriors don’t have any grit. They ain’t a meat n’ potatoes kind of team. They are drinking soylent green and diversifying their stock options. When I believe in something, I’m ALL IN baby. And what I’m ALL IN for is the fact that the Warriors are losing to the Bucks this year. In fact, I think they would lose to the Bucks, Raptors, or 76ers. Pick your poison, Golden State would get thumped by all of them. Dysfunctional Boston would even take the Warriors to seven games. When we look back on the Golden State era, we are going to remember them as a team that got lucky. They got lucky on a bunch of three pointers, that’s all. Nothing to see here.”
Man who predicted Patriots dynasty ending to Seahawks had this to say:
“This is the year. The Bucks have been unstoppable. Giannis is the future best player in the world and without a healthy Durant, the Warriors are going to look like wet dog shit. Hehe, underdogs are underdogs until they win. *sips Coors Light* Frankly, I would be 2-0 in my dynasty ending predictions if Pete Carroll hadn’t had a stroke when he was calling the last play of the Super Bowl and if the Falcons hadn’t remembered they were the Falcons. So lame, I lost $40 to Jimmy on those bets. But, I’m so sure about Golden State losing this year I’m going to make it all back. Guaranteed.”
A Lakers fan boy said this:
[guttural screaming]”…Jeanie Buss…” [incomprehensible babbling] “…Showtime…” [quiet sobs] “And that’s why it’s all Rob Pelinka’s fault…please come back Magic.”
Blind man said:
“Man those Warriors are still pretty damn good, I wouldn’t bet against them.”
