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The NBA Finals returns to Boston for Game 6 tonight, with the Warriors nearing the conclusion of the series. Crossover staff are weighing where Golden State would rank among NBA dynasties, Steph Curry’s place among the greatest players of all time and who will win Game 6.
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If the Warriors win the title, where would you rank them among the NBA dynasties?
Chris Herring: Probably second to the Jordan-era bulls. But returning to the winners’ circle three years later, without Kevin Durant and after Klay Thompson’s disastrous injuries, would be hugely impressive in its own right and would validate Curry in a new, unimpeachable way for those who poke fun at him lack of Finals MVPs before.
Robin Lundberg: There are legendary dynasties of the past like the Boston Celtics, but the Warriors would be spot on for my era with a different title. What Shaq and Kobe did was special, as was the run the Spurs had. But for me it comes down to three: the Bulls, the Warriors and LeBron James, who’s been in nine out of 10 NBA Finals with three different teams, which is bananas. But when it comes to a roster, it’s Chicago and Golden State. What sets this Warriors run apart is that it’s a new chapter following their original title and the KD Superteam (the best ever put together in my opinion). I would place them second in the rankings behind the Jordan Bulls as they contained two separate triple peats.
Chris Mannix: Four titles in eight years, with a few other finals that didn’t derail for basketball reasons (Draymond’s suspension, Kevin Durant’s injury)? The Warriors would rank right up there. The Celtics of the ’50s and ’60s are the gold standard of the NBA dynasties, but I would put Golden State on par with the Celtics and Lakers of the ’70s and ’80s, the Bulls of the ’90s, and the early years Spurs. And given the Warriors’ roster build-up, they may still have a few runs left.
Michael Pine: Four titles in eight years – with two Finals losses in that span – is a savage feat only Russell’s Celtics, Magics Lakers, Jordan’s Bulls and Duncan’s Spurs can look down on. To consistently win this in an era where rosters are ever-changing, the Warriors’ run could be as impressive as any of the dynasties above, depending on who you ask.
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If the Warriors win the title, where would you rank Steph Curry among the greatest players of all time?
Herring: Probably at the very bottom of the 10 or so best they’ve ever laced. Despite his frame, there are aspects of Steph that are Shaq-like in that he fundamentally changed the sport because you can’t protect him with just one player in a league that fields as many screens as this. Because of this, he creates 4-on-3 imbalances everywhere, making the game easier for all of his teammates in a way we haven’t seen many times in basketball history.
Lundberg: The Warriors don’t have to win for Steph Curry to make the shortest list of all-time greatest players. He’s already one of the top five players I’ve seen, the best point guard of all time in my opinion (although sticking with Magic is more than reasonable), and on my personal NBA mount Rushmore. The way he changed the game combined with consistent wins and achievements has cemented his place.
Mannix: I’m struggling with placement, but there’s no question that a championship and a Finals MVP will elevate Curry. And when you add up his resume, individual, and team, you’ll have a hard time picking 10 people better than Curry.
Pine: He’s already one of the four or five best players I’ve ever seen with my own eyes, but when you count everyone who’s ever lifted a ball, it would be hard to think of 12 names before his comes up. Curry’s career totals aren’t as impressive as those of other Mount Rushmore contenders, but his impact on the sport — where adjectives like “transcendent” and “revolutionary” apply without (so much) hyperbole — coupled with all that post-season success makes him real rarely air. And at 34, Curry clearly has more in the tank.
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What do the Celtics need to extend the streak?
Herring: Keep moving the ball while flipping it far, much less — check out the Warriors’ points in this series if you haven’t already — limiting Golden State’s breakout performances to Curry and virtually nobody else. This formula worked for Boston.
Lundberg: The Celtics need to stop making self-inflicted mistakes. Sales have allowed the Warriors to transition and get clean looks for shooters. If Boston can limit those and Jayson Tatum can step up, they will be in good shape. But these glitches are why they lag in the series.
Mannix: Stop. Turn. That. ball. over. The Celtics are the better team. If you make less than 12 turnovers on Thursday, you win. If they commit 16 or more, they will lose. As simple as that.
Pine: You need to take care of the ball and read Golden State’s defense with more clarity than games 4 and 5, hope Curry doesn’t have another OBE, hit open threes and free throws, tackle all warriors’ off-ball Action on the half court, finish better in the paint and hope Rob Williams III looks like he did in Game 3.
Who will win Game 6?
Herring: I think the Celtics, back on their home court, will find a way to respond and force at least a Game 7. Beating them twice in a row was feat enough, but to do it three times in a row — Boston hasn’t lost three in a row since late December — would be incredible in such a competitive series.
Lundberg: I’ll go with the Celtics, reluctantly. This was a great NBA Finals after a pretty stunning playoff. I think this series and fans deserve a game 7.
Mannix: Boston. I still think the Celtics will win this series. Oddly enough, this team seems to respond best to real adversity. They looked like the Washington Generals for the first two months of the season and like the best team in the NBA for the last four months. They went down 3-2 against the Bucks and won. They took the chance to knock out Miami in six points, then headed to South Beach to defeat the Heat. You just find a way. I made Boston win Game 6. And Boston to win Game 7.
Pine: The Celts.
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