The Golden State Warriors, once dominant from 2015 to 2019 with three championships, are making a comeback as they face the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. After a 15-50 record in the 2020 season, the Warriors rebuilt their roster with key players like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson, who returned to form under coach Steve Kerr.
The Celtics, seeking an 18th title to become the most successful franchise in NBA history, have defeated the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Miami Heat in the playoffs. Their balanced team, led by Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart, faces a Warriors squad with 123 combined Finals games of experience.
Warriors center Kevon Looney, who played on the 2017 and 2018 championship teams, emphasized the team's enduring culture: "We still played our style of basketball, still holding guys to a high level and a high standard." Curry highlighted the team's cohesion, stating, "The pieces fit, first and foremost, and our core and how we play."
Celtics coach Ime Udoka downplayed the experience gap, saying, "We understand what it is, we know the opponent in front of us, and for us, as always, this year, it’s been business as usual." NBA legend Charles Barkley predicted a Celtics victory, calling them "the best team remaining in the playoffs."
