No miracle happened this time

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

WHEN the then defending champions Golden State Warriors took a commanding 3-1 lead over arch-foe Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals last year, basketball pundits  predicted a two-in-row championship win for the Warriors. The fearless forecast then was no team in NBA history ever won a come-from-behind victory after a 3-1 deficit. Those experts soon ate humble pie as the Cavs instead made history by winning the last three games consecutively, to wrest the title from the defending champs Warriors. Some observers maintained it was a fluke, still many said it was a miracle. I had to agree with the many.

Miracle do happen in this planet every day as the pastors, ministers, priests once told me. And I believe them because I received miracles in my time, and I guess with most of you guys. “There’s always a first time in life,’ as the adage goes and that’s exactly what happened last year o by the title-hungry and determined Cavs led by the team’s key trio Lebron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love.

Last week, trailing 3-0 in the first three games, the Cavs won the fourth match to establish a 3-1 deficit. This time, however, the sports columnists, analysts, radio commentators whom I had talked to were tight-lipped and afraid to make their predictions, afraid that they might eat their words again.

But this time was different, no miracle happened.

Having learned their lessons the hard way, the Warriors beefed up its line-up by acquiring power-forward unrestricted free agent Kevin Durant from the Oklahoma City Thunder last July. It paid off! Durant turned to be the dominant force in the team and helped the 2015 champions regained the diadem, their fifth tiara since joining NBA in 1946. The Warriors won in 1947 and 1956 when they were still based in Philadelphia. Relocated to San Francisco in 1962, they won their first crown in 1975 with its name Golden State Warriors in 2015 and this year representing the Bay Area of San Francisco, California.

Durant, 27, bagged the Bill Russel MVP (Most Valuable Player) trophy, his first in the Finals since joining the league in 2007. He signed a two-year contract with the Warriors with an annual salary of $27,132,253 and is said to remain with the team in the years ahead. He is confident the Warriors can defend the title next year and can win more titles. Obviously, he’s so happy, comfortable and committed to his new team.

Two-time reigning regular season MVP Stephen Curry is now unrestricted free agent but opted to remain with the team and projected to sign the richest amount in NBA history.  He asked Warriors owner Joe Lacob a five-year deal worth $205 million. I guess that will be solved easily. Let’s wait and see.

The mighty Warriors big name guys are in the 20s and were in the Finals for three successive years. The question now is: Will they remain the dominant power in this decade as they have done in the last three years? Maybe, that is if none of the team’s young marquee players will not be sidelined by injury.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descent from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. JAMES 3: 14-15

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