With the bow about to be tied on the year 2018, it’s only fitting to reflect on things. And for the Golden State Warriors, 2018 was certainly a year to remember and look back on.
As far as the Warriors are concerned, the calendar year featured everything that draws us to sports: Obstacles, triumph, teamwork, brilliance, creativity, chemistry, and joy. The team began the year not playing their best basketball, and to make matters worse, the face of the franchise, Steph Curry, suffered a serious injury as the season was concluding.
But they fought. They overcame adversity, even when their backs were against the wall in the Western Conference Finals. They found their way to the top, to their second consecutive title, and third in four years, to secure their dynasty.
And they didn’t stop there. They started repeating the process in the new season, as the calendar year neared an end. They suffered another injury to Curry, an injury to Draymond Green, and what felt like a fatal blow to many on the outside: An altercation between Green and Kevin Durant.
But they overcame it again, and will end the year as heavy favorites to notch a three-peat.
And for those achievements, the Warriors - the whole damn team - has been named the 2018 Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year.
Another dub for the Dubs.
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 10, 2018
Congratulations to the @warriors for being named 2018 #Sportsperson of the Year recipients! https://t.co/E8z9n6AuQG pic.twitter.com/IYGyZVpojT
Given the play and the off-court accomplishments, this award could have gone to a number of individuals on the team - Curry and Durant, in particular - but it feels right that it went to the entire team. Strength in numbers is real, after all. It’s a huge part of why they’ve had the success that they’ve had.
In the 65th year of the Sportsperson of the Year, the Dubs become just the fourth team to be honored, joining the 1980 US Men’s Hockey Team, the 1999 US Women’s Soccer Team, and the 2004 Boston Red Sox.
It only seems right that a dynasty, featuring two of the greatest players in NBA history, and some of the most entertaining basketball the league has ever seen, be recognized for their year-long achievements.
Well done, Dubs.