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Lacob Vows Warriors "On A Mission" To Reclaim NBA Title After Sweeping Spurs

The Warriors last night won their third straight Western Conference title after sweeping the Spurs, but the celebration "wasn't nearly as emotional" as the past two years and Warriors co-Owner Joe Lacob claims the team is "on a mission" after losing in the NBA Finals to the Cavaliers last season, according to Anthony Slater of the SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS. Lacob said, "We're not done. We got to go back and get some of what kind of feels taken from us last year." The Warriors are the first team in NBA history to enter the Finals having gone 12-0 in the first three rounds of the postseason, and Lacob said, "That's obviously nice. But it doesn't matter if you win 4-3, 4-2, 4-0. Point is to get there and play for the championship and then we start over." When asked if he wants to face the Cavs again in the Finals, Lacob said, "Honestly, I don't really care who we play." Lacob then gave a "sly grin" and added, "Ok, maybe a slight preference for Cleveland. Only because I feel we have some unfinished business from last season" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 5/23). USA TODAY's A.J. Neuharth-Keusch notes just because the Warriors "had a noticeably subdued postgame celebration" does not mean they "don't appreciate another shot at a title." They have "been here before, and they know all too well how quickly the tables can turn come June, especially if the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers are the ones standing in the way" (USATODAY.com, 5/23).

WELL WORTH THE WAIT: In DC, Jerry Brewer writes at the "end of these boring playoffs," there will be a Finals "full of drama" should the Cavaliers again play the Warriors. There is a chance for this to become a "true, cross-conference rivalry capable of carrying the league." Brewer: "Give me two super powers marching indomitably toward a rubber match over mediocrity disguised as parity any day" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/23). CBS Sports Network's Adam Schein said while the playoffs "haven't been exciting," the Finals "are going to be epic." Schein: "It’s been atrocious in the first three rounds, specifically round two, round three. But the Finals are going to be classic. That’ll make up for it” (“Time To Schein,” CBSSN, 5/22). The N.Y. Daily News' Frank Isola: "Once we get to the Finals -- and I think it’s going to be a great Finals -- we’ll look back on it and say, ‘Maybe the playoffs weren’t that great, but the Finals were terrific’” ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 5/22). ESPN’s David Jacoby said people will "not remember the first-round matchups." Jacoby: "We will not remember the blowout games. We will remember this finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors forever” (“Jalen & Jacoby,” ESPNews, 5/23). FS1's Colin Cowherd said, "If the Finals are amazing, we'll look back and go, 'What a year!'" FS1's Chris Broussard said the Finals "are going to be epic." He added it may provide "better ratings than when Jordan" played in the NBA Finals ("Speak For Yourself," FS1, 5/22). In DC, Deron Snyder writes a third consecutive Cavs-Warriors Finals was "practically preordained entering the season," and these playoffs "have an 'Are we there, yet?' feel, like a long road trip with your kids in the backseat." However, there is "absolutely nothing wrong with taking a trip to Cavs-Warriors III" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 5/23). 

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