The Warriors claimed their second title in three seasons Monday night with a 129-120 Game 5 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, their opponent in three straight NBA Finals appearances. However, for Stephen Curry, who's been consistently criticized for his underwhelming play in the previous two Finals, this second title goes a long way toward shutting up those critics who said he couldn't handle the bright lights of the big stage.
Later, the two-time reigning MVP took off his new National Basketball Association champions hat and studied it briefly before pulling it on again, backward.
Steve Kerr returned for the final four games of the Finals, but the Warriors' head coach is still dealing with complications from his back surgery almost two years ago.
Warriors guard Klay Thompson was throwing T-shirts to fans and waving from the top of an open, double-decker bus. That particular cigar was meant for the 2016 NBA Finals before the Warriors blew a 3-1 lead. If team leaders like Curry and Kerr decide not to go, it's highly unlikely that many, if any, other members of the "Dubs" decide to attend.
The trek through town ended on the shores of Lake Merritt where front office personnel, coach Steve Kerr and each player addressed the crowd during an 80-minute rally.
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Petersburg to see forward Fyodor Smolov's 69th minute goal add to an own goal by New Zealand defender Michael Boxall in the 31st. A Confederations Cup trophy, never mind a World Cup title, might be too much to ask even for Putin, But Saturday was a start.
On the other hand, Green told reporters that the t-shirt only reflects the Warriors' quick victory against the Cavs. Cleveland is a super team, and Golden State is a super-duper team.
James teamed up with All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat to win his first championship in 2012. Critics have called the Warriors a super team with the addition of Kevin Durant previous year. "You've got people of every race, color, religion, creed, whatever, and everybody's just coming together and loving this team".
Championship celebrations at the White House have become a tradition in American sports, with the first believed to have occurred in 1925 when President Calvin Coolidge hosted the Washington Senators.
"It's still in the Bay", he said. Golden State general manager Bob Myers also was moved to tears given Kerr's courageous Finals comeback from an 11-game absence while dealing with complications from back surgery following the 2015 title run.
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