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With their sweep of the San Antonio Spurs in the 2017 Western Conference Finals, the Golden State Warriors have become just the seventh franchise in NBA history to make the NBA Finals in three consecutive seasons.
And as much as last year’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers still stings, just making it a third consecutive time is an accomplishment worth celebrating.
So, yes, I’m just happy that the Warriors have gotten to this point for a third consecutive time — this is beyond anything I ever imagined for this franchise back when just winning 20 games was a struggle.
WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPS x 3 @warriors @unstoppablebaby #LetsGoWarriorsLive #DubNation pic.twitter.com/MNHlKWK2MW
— Menefreghista (@daddj0kes) May 23, 2017
If you’re skeptical of just how impressive a feat this is, take a look at the 14 teams that have done it and who was leading them.
All-time NBA Finals appearance streaks
| Streak | Team | NBA Finals appearance streak | NBA championships won during streak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streak | Team | NBA Finals appearance streak | NBA championships won during streak |
| 10 seasons | Boston Celtics | 1957–1966 | 9 (1957, 1959–1966) |
| 4 seasons | Los Angeles Lakers | 1982–1985 | 2 (1982, 1985) |
| 4 seasons | Boston Celtics | 1984–1987 | 2 (1984, 1986) |
| 4 seasons | Miami Heat | 2011–2014 | 2 (2012, 2013) |
| 3 seasons | New York Knicks | 1951–1953 | — |
| 3 seasons | Minneapolis Lakers | 1952–1954 | 3 (1952–1954) |
| 3 seasons | Los Angeles Lakers | 1968–1970 | — |
| 3 seasons | Los Angeles Lakers | 1987–1989 | 2 (1987, 1988) |
| 3 seasons | Detroit Pistons | 1988–1990 | 2 (1989, 1990) |
| 3 seasons | Chicago Bulls | 1991–1993 | 3 (1991–1993) |
| 3 seasons | Chicago Bulls | 1996–1998 | 3 (1996–1998) |
| 3 seasons | Los Angeles Lakers | 2000–2002 | 3 (2000–2002) |
| 3 seasons | Los Angeles Lakers | 2008–2010 | 2 (2009, 2010) |
| 3 seasons | Golden State Warriors | 2015-2017 | ?? |
This puts the Golden State Warriors — who were once just hoping you’d have A Great Time Out — in the same territory as some of the league’s greatest dynasties. It puts Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson in the same conversation as Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Isiah Thomas, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and yeah that LeBron James guy. Those are top 50 Hall of Fame-caliber players -- you don’t make three straight Finals without having really special elite talent and multiple top 50 talents.
I know there are people who will completely disagree with this, but win or lose in the 2017 NBA Finals, we need to take a moment just appreciate what we have — most basketball fans have never experienced something like this and will never have the privilege to do so. And if for some reason you can’t at least take the next few days before the Finals to just appreciate that, it might be time to search for another sport or another team because I’m just not really sure what more you can expect form this one.
And, oh yeah by the way, if LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers make it to the Finals as expected, it will be the first time ever that the same two teams have made three straight Finals.
Special times, folks. Enjoy yourselves.
2015: The New Hope
— Golden State of Mind (@unstoppablebaby) May 23, 2017
2016: The Empire Strikes Back
2017: The Return of the Jedi??