The Warriors beat the Cavaliers 129-120 in last night's NBA Finals Game 5, earning their second championship in three years and completing a 16-1 playoff run. This is the "best playoff record in NBA history" – bettering the Lakers' 15-1 mark in '01 – and it "looms as the franchise's greatest moment" (
SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 6/13). With four All-Stars, the Warriors "put together one of the greatest lineups in NBA history," and the "experiment worked" (
S.F. CHRONICLE, 6/13). This will "forever be known as one of the most talented teams in the history of the NBA," and their playoff record was the "equivalent of lapping the field" (
N.Y. TIMES, 6/13). The Warriors are a "potential dynasty capable of dominating the NBA for a long time" and a "problem that might take the league's other teams several years to solve" (
WALL STREET JOURNAL, 6/13). This "super team" is "changing basketball" (
L.A. TIMES, 6/13).
Front-Page Headlines: S.F. Chronicle: "Champs Again" ... S.F. Examiner: "Redemption" ... San Jose Mercury News: "Re-Dubbed Champions" ... Sacramento Bee: "Warriors Are Golden Again" ... Palo Alto Daily Post: "Champions Again" ... Wall Street Journal: "Warriors Wrest Back NBA Title"
The Warriors and the city of Oakland will host a victory parade on Thursday. The route will "wind its way through downtown Oakland before culminating in a rally outside the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center" (SFGATE.com, 6/12).
In the "immediate wake of the championship, the streets were joyous but peaceful." As the "night went on, the celebrations drew increased police attention" (EAST BAY TIMES, 6/13). After the game, the Warriors ran a local PSA encouraging fans to "celebrate with dignity." The spot featured coach Steve Kerr and several Warriors players "essentially asking that fans refrain from rioting" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 6/13).
