Hardwood Paroxysm: What does the future hold for the Cavaliers and Warriors?

What does the future hold for the Warriors?

by David Ramil (@dramil13) — Hardwood Paroxysm

There was something just a bit magical about how the Golden State Warriors were able to win the title. Still, like any good trick, once you know how it’s done, it loses its luster and sense of mystery.

Perhaps the label itself – “magical” – is a bit dismissive, especially considering the team’s steady growth despite Mark Jackson’s best efforts. But it’s generally accepted that every champion needs a bit of luck to secure a title and what separates that from magic is ascribing positive feelings to the breaks you catch along the way.

Now that we’ve seen the card was always up Steve Kerr’s sleeve and revealed the hidden compartment big enough to house Andrew Bogut, the Warriors won’t ever be this good again. While Steph Curry and Klay Thompson are undoubtedly the best backcourt in the NBA, the rest of team seems unlikely to keep pace. Draymond Green probably isn’t coming back – he’ll be paid handsomely to fill multiple roles on a team that has several glaring holes across its roster. David Lee will be moved and who or what they get in return won’t contribute either. Andre Iguodala can keep himself warm during chilly nights along the Bay knowing he peaked at just the right time against one of the best players of all-time.

Injury, strife, complacency – all the things the Warriors were able to avoid – might all play a role next season, waiting just behind the curtain.

Golden State could just as easily become a dynasty, finding a way to maintain their historic prowess on offense and defense. But already their Finals opponent (the other side of Lady Luck’s coin, willed to greatness by LeBron James despite the team’s bad fortune) are predicted as favorites to win the title next year and other teams are poised to display new tricks of their own.

Perhaps it’s best that they don’t reel off several straight titles or endure on-and-off years of championship success like the Spurs. If they are indeed one-and-done, that sense of mystery might endure forever, tantalizing potential that will only be realized in our imagination.

We want to believe, after all, and the illusion might be more comforting than the harsh reality that awaits.

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