It’s a great accomplishment, not to mention a great feeling when a team defeats the defending NBA champions and knocks them out of the playoffs. That’s what the Los Angeles Lakers did on Friday night when they sent the Golden State Warriors packing for the summer with a 122-101 rout in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals.
But something that is even better than that is ending such a team’s championship reign that spans multiple years and rings.
Over the last nine years, the Warriors have been the league’s reigning dynasty, and they certainly have much to be proud of with four world titles and six trips to the NBA Finals. But their dynasty seems to be on life support, and there were symptoms of illness dating to October.
During training camp, Draymond Green punched guard Jordan Poole, which was caught on video and went viral. Poole was given a lucrative contract extension shortly afterward, which led many to surmise that Green’s days with the team are numbered. He has a player option for next season that he can turn down to become a free agent this summer.
If Green leaves Golden State, it will not win anything of consequence without him. He has been an integral Swiss Army knife, not to mention its emotional and spiritual leader since its reign began.
Even worse, executive Bob Myers’ current contract expires in June, and he hasn’t come to terms with the organization on a new deal.
While the Warriors seem to be headed in one direction, LeBron James and company are seemingly headed upward and onward.