The End of An Era?

Well it looks like it finally happened. The Golden State Warriors are not your 2019 NBA Champions. You read that correctly. There is a new team atop the NBA world. The Toronto Raptors did what they have never done before. This was the first time they have ever been to the Finals and the first time they have won also. Not too bad for being their first time there.

The Raptors only needed six games to dethrone the Warriors. And all of those were terrific games to see. Kawhi Leonard looked like a robot at times and did what needed to be done every time he stepped on the floor. He was on a mission and there was no stopping him. He did get some much needed help along the way. Pasal Siakam had some good games along the way as well, especially in Games 1 and 6. He got things going with a bang and ended with a bang. Fred VanVleet and Danny Green even had exciting games to watch shooting threes with ease and being the spark plug when the team needed it. We can’t forget about Kyle Lowry and Marc Gasol. For the most part, they looked like the solid veterans that they are and played every game with a goal in mind

Steph Curry and Klay Thompson put on a great show and had great games themselves. They played the way they always have. They knew what to expect and they knew what needed to be done. They had done it before. You can also add Draymond Green to that list of experienced players. He doesn’t score a lot of points, but he does all the little things and brings the energy to his team. The Warriors were even able to add DeMarcus Cousins in the offseason, and although he didn’t have the Finals experience till now, he still played well when he got there. But there was one thing missing: Kevin Durant. This is where the team got hurt the most. Missing such a dynamic player for most of this series was crucial. I think he gave it his all in Game 5. And then when he and Klay both were injured, it left Steph alone and that was just one more stumbling block they couldn’t overcome.

Here we are at the end of another season and a new champion is crowned. A team that had never won before has now won it all. It was a great year to be associated with the Raptors, whether as a fan, player, etc. As for the Warriors, some bad timed injuries and ailing players led to their losses this year. Next year will be a new season and a lot of faces will be on new teams. In the case of these teams, both Leonard and Durant will have new teams. Will the Raptors be back in the Finals next year? In the case of the Warriors, was this just one down year or something bigger: The end of an era? It all remains to be seen.