How the Golden State Warriors Became the 2017 NBA Champions Through Teamwork
I still remember watching Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals with my coaching staff, witnessing the Golden State Warriors complete their dominant playoff run with a 129-120 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. What struck me most wasn't just their incredible talent—though having four All-Stars certainly helped—but how they exemplified the kind of seamless teamwork that we in the coaching profession constantly strive to build. Their championship wasn't just about individual brilliance; it was about creating a system where everyone understood their role and executed with perfect synchronization.
The Warriors' approach reminds me of something I've experienced firsthand in managing divided coaching staffs. During my time with Ginebra and the Gilas Youth program, I faced the challenge Coach Tim Cone described when he said, "My staff is split at this point. Half of our staff is in our Ginebra practices and half of them are with the juniors at this point. They are going to have games when we have games." This division could have created chaos, much like how the Warriors could have struggled with integrating Kevin Durant into an already championship-caliber team. Instead, both situations required developing systems where different units could function independently yet maintain the same core philosophy and objectives.
What fascinates me about the Warriors' 2017 season is how they managed to improve upon their record-breaking 73-win season from the previous year, despite the significant roster changes. They finished the regular season with 67 wins—impressive, though fewer than their historic 2015-16 campaign—but more importantly, they went 16-1 in the playoffs, the best postseason record in NBA history. The integration of Kevin Durant could have disrupted their chemistry, but instead, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green all made adjustments to accommodate his talents. I've always believed that true teamwork isn't about everyone getting equal shots—it's about everyone understanding when to lead and when to support. The Warriors demonstrated this beautifully, with Curry often taking a backseat in scoring during crucial moments to maximize Durant's offensive advantages.
Their defensive coordination particularly stood out to me. The Warriors held opponents to just 104.3 points per 100 possessions during the playoffs, a remarkable number considering the offensive firepower they faced. This didn't happen by accident—it resulted from countless hours of practice and film study, much like how our split coaching staffs had to maintain communication across different teams and schedules. When you have staff working with both senior and junior teams simultaneously, as Coach Cone described, you develop systems for sharing insights and strategies across programs. The Warriors operated similarly, with their defensive schemes relying on perfect timing and trust between players.
I've always been partial to teams that prioritize ball movement, and the Warriors' 30.4 assists per game during the regular season represented the kind of selfless basketball I admire. Their offense wasn't built around isolation plays—though they had players capable of dominating one-on-one—but around constant motion, screens, and quick decisions. Watching them felt like observing a well-conducted orchestra where every musician understands not just their part but how it fits into the larger composition. This level of coordination requires what we call "shared mental models" in coaching—where players instinctively know where their teammates will be without constant communication.
The financial aspect often gets overlooked in these discussions, but the Warriors' ownership invested approximately $133 million in player salaries that season, well above the salary cap, demonstrating their commitment to building and maintaining that championship roster. This kind of investment creates its own challenges—managing egos, balancing minutes, keeping role players engaged—but the Warriors handled these potentially divisive issues with remarkable professionalism. Having coached teams with significant talent disparities between starters and bench players, I know how challenging this balance can be. The Warriors' second unit, led by Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston, bought completely into their roles, understanding that their contributions, though less flashy, were equally vital to the team's success.
What many casual observers miss about the 2017 Warriors is how their regular season struggles—by their standards—actually strengthened them for the playoffs. They lost 15 games, more than doubling their losses from the previous season, but these moments of vulnerability forced them to address weaknesses and build resilience. In my coaching experience, teams that cruise through seasons often struggle when faced with adversity, while those who encounter challenges develop problem-solving skills that serve them in crucial moments. The Warriors' early March three-game losing streak, for instance, prompted strategic adjustments that proved invaluable during their playoff run.
The cultural foundation established by Head Coach Steve Kerr cannot be overstated. His emphasis on joy, collaboration, and mindfulness created an environment where players felt valued beyond their statistical contributions. I've tried to implement similar principles in my programs, recognizing that when athletes feel psychologically safe and appreciated, they're more willing to make the sacrifices necessary for team success. The Warriors' celebration after their championship win wasn't just about the victory—it was the culmination of a season's worth of shared struggles, adjustments, and growth.
Reflecting on that championship run, I'm convinced the Warriors' success stemmed from their ability to balance individual excellence with collective purpose. They possessed generational talents yet never relied solely on them. Their system empowered role players like Zaza Pachulia and JaVale McGee to contribute meaningfully within their capabilities. This philosophy aligns with what we strive for when managing split coaching staffs—ensuring that every coach, regardless of which team they're working with, understands and contributes to the overarching vision. The Warriors didn't just win because they had better players; they won because they had better teammates who trusted the process and each other.