For Steve Kerr’s Warriors, this is his sixth Finals appearance in eight seasons and the Dynasty are looking for their fourth Larry O’Brien Trophy, a feat that could cement the team among the greatest teams of all time.
At the other end of the floor is a Celtics team led by first-year head coach Ime Ukoda, who has done a remarkable job of transforming the franchise into one of the best defensive teams in the league after a rocky start to the season.
At the level that Warriors franchise star Steph Curry has played for a stretch of the season — even recently winning the inaugural Magic Johnson Trophy as Eastern Conference Finals MVP — it would be foolish to suggest that it’s worth it this iteration. Might be the last chance. Of the Warriors has won a championship.
But at 34 – with teammates Draymond Green and Klay Thompson both 32 – and with some less-than-par periods this year, the window is quickly closing.
It certainly doesn’t help that the window is increasingly being closed by the Celtics, a young, hungry team with one of the league’s outstanding individual talents.
In Jason Tatum, a generational superstar appears in the hands of the Celtics. The 24-year-old powered his team to the NBA Finals with a 26-point performance against the Miami Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals as he secured the inaugural Larry Bird Trophy as series MVP.
But Tatum certainly hasn’t done it alone; Teammates Jaylen Brown, who became an All-Star for the first time last year, and Marcus Smart, the current Defensive Player of the Year, are perfect foils for their franchise column.
During these playoffs, the Celtics also outperformed their role players, most notably veteran center Al Horford, who had to wait a record 141 career playoff games in 14 seasons to reach his first NBA Finals.
This match-up certainly fits the mold of young pretense going against established strength. The result could potentially be the end of one dynasty and the beginning of another.
what did they say
After a Game 7 victory over the Heat, Celtics head coach Udoka was quick to stop the celebrations and turn his attention to the finals.
The Warriors and Celtics split the season series 1-1, though Boston posted a massive 110-88 win at Golden State in their most recent game in March.
“We at the Celtics organization do not organize or celebrate Eastern Conference championships,” Udoka told reporters. “We’re here now trying to finish the deal.
“We played Golden State very well this year, obviously beating them very poorly in the season … so [we’re] I am going in very confidently. I know this is another tough challenge.
“But we know a high-level [Warriors] Team, execution team that has a ton of great shooters, overall great players, guys I know pretty well. We are up to the challenge.”
At various points during the season, the Warriors have been without one of their three franchise stars, Curry, Thompson and Green due to injury.
Golden State started the season in stellar form, going 18-2, but was later interrupted by those absences. However, it gave guard Jordan Poole an opportunity to emerge as one of the league’s most exciting young talents and secure a spot as a key member of the rotation.
Kerr described the team’s journey to the finals as a “rocky path”, but believes it will position them well for the challenges ahead.
“I also felt like we had refilled our cup after missing the playoffs over the past two years. Everyone came really hungry this season, and you could see how we started… shot out the gate, [there’s a] Great relationship, great camaraderie in this team.
“In the regular season, we literally never got our main guys on the floor at the same time until Game 1 of the Denver series. So it was a rocky road to get here, but I feel good about the process and our potential. If we can get all our key people on the floor.”
how to see
In the US, the finals will be available to watch on ABC or ESPN3. Alternatively, in the US and around the world you can watch games live on NBA League Pass.
Schedule
Game 1: Thursday, June 2 – at 9 p.m. ET in Boston Golden State
Game 2: Sunday, June 5 – Boston at Golden State at 8 p.m. ET
Game 3: Wednesday, June 8 – Golden State in Boston, 9 p.m. ET
Game 4: Friday, June 10 – Golden State in Boston, 9 p.m. ET
Game 5 (if needed): Monday, June 13 – at Boston Golden State, 9 p.m. ET
Game 6 (if needed): Thursday, June 16 – Golden State in Boston, 9 p.m. ET
Game 7 (if needed): Sunday, June 19 – Boston at Golden State, 8 p.m. ET