The difference between the Spurs longevity and the Heat’s four Finals appearances

During the telecast of Game 6, Mark Jackson used the word “dynasty” to describe the Golden State Warriors. The dictionary definition of dynasty is a line of hereditary rulers of a country or a succession of people from the same family who play a prominent role in business, politics, or another field.

In basketball terms, it implies an ongoing team of players that keep the franchise contenders. The Los Angeles Lakers won 16 titles over 61 seasons: first title in 1949 and the most recent in 2010. The Boston Celtics won 17 championships over a span of 51 seasons between 1957 and 2008. With the exception of the 90s, these two teams have earned least one title every decade.

As we all know, the San Antonio Spurs won 5 titles over the last 20 seasons.

The Golden State Warriors have won three NBA Championships in five years. One at the hands of a battered Cavaliers team, and two with Kevin Durant as their Finals MVP. Without Kevin Durant, Golden State’s ability to return to the Finals for half a decade is arguable.

By comparison, the Chicago Bulls won six championships in eight seasons, all with Michael Jordan as their superstar. The two seasons they did not win were when Jordan retired and played baseball.

There is no denying that Stephen Curry is the best shooter in NBA history. But he goes into overdrive in the playoffs, almost to his own demise. He has yet to be the MVP of an NBA Finals. And he alone could not save the Warriors from elimination.

Curry is without question a superstar. In addition to his amazing ability to make a shot from anywhere on the court, he moves effortlessly without the ball. He also has this innate ability to zip to the basket, stop on a dime, lob, or lay up. But facilitating for his teammates is not his core strength.

Klay Thompson is also not from this NBA world. He’s an elite player from top to bottom. But like his fellow Splash Brother, he is not the soul of his team.

Which bring me to the word elite, meaning a select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group or society. In my opinion, that describes this Warriors team. But I’d stop short of saying they’re a dynasty just yet.

Just like the Miami Heat who made four consecutive NBA Finals appearances, the Golden State Warriors are elite, and they are of the moment, this moment. This Warriors team wouldn’t have likely survived the physical era of basketball where Bill Laimbeer set mid-court picks that made mincemeat of his opponents.

If the Warriors are of this moment, one question is how much longer the moment will last. Without changes to the way the organization is run, title contention could be difficult to sustain.

Next year will be the most telling yet as they will most likely be starting the season without the services of Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson. Assuming all other relevant players stay healthy, it will be interesting to see how their season starts.

Don’t get me wrong, a mid-season resurgence with the reintroduction of Durant and Thompson automatically bolsters the Warriors chances in the same way any team that trades for two All-Stars at the trade deadline would. Even more since they know the system, coach, and players.

Kevin Durant’s destination for next year is up in the air, but I’d bet on his services and recovery taking place with the San Fransisco Warriors. If he does, there could be more consecutive season of Warriors Championships. Either way the question remains:

Do the Golden State Warriors have what it takes to develop into the next Spurs-style dynasty, instilling the threat of deep playoff runs for years to come? Or are they the the next Miami Heat?

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