Let me take you back to that incredible 2018 NBA Championship run - honestly, it still gives me chills thinking about it. The Golden State Warriors completed their back-to-back championship by sweeping LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in four straight games, though I have to admit that final series didn't quite capture the drama of their previous matchups. What really stood out to me that postseason was how the Warriors flipped a switch when it mattered most, especially after looking vulnerable at times during the regular season.
I remember watching Game 1 thinking Cleveland might actually have a chance when J.R. Smith's infamous clock mishap cost them what could have been a crucial victory. That moment completely shifted the series momentum - from that point forward, you could see the Warriors playing with this incredible confidence that just overwhelmed the Cavs. Kevin Durant took home his second consecutive Finals MVP, averaging 28.8 points per game across the series, and honestly, he was absolutely unstoppable whenever he decided to take over. Steph Curry's shooting, Draymond Green's defensive intensity, and Klay Thompson's two-way play created this perfect storm that Cleveland simply couldn't weather.
Now, if you're looking to understand championship mentality, let me share what I've observed from studying multiple championship teams across different sports. The first step is always establishing consistent performance from your core players - something the Warriors had perfected with their superstar trio. What fascinates me is how championship DNA translates across different basketball leagues. Take the PBA, for instance - even with Perez out, June Mar Fajardo demonstrated that same championship mentality by maintaining his dominant form to capture his ninth PBA MVP. That's the mark of true greatness - performing at an elite level regardless of circumstances, much like the Warriors did throughout their championship runs.
The method for building a championship team involves creating systems where your best players can thrive even when facing adversity. Golden State's motion offense and switching defense created this beautiful synergy where the whole became greater than the sum of its parts. Durant's clutch three-pointer in Game 3 essentially sealed the series for me - that was the moment where you just knew Cleveland's spirit was broken. The Warriors outscored the Cavs by an average of 12 points in the fourth quarters throughout the series, showing their ability to elevate when games mattered most.
Here's something crucial I've learned from analyzing championship teams: the role players often make the difference in close series. Players like Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston provided exactly what Golden State needed at critical moments. This reminds me of how teams like San Miguel in the PBA maintain excellence - they build around franchise players like Fajardo but ensure they have reliable supporting casts that understand their roles perfectly. The Warriors had developed this incredible chemistry where everyone knew exactly when to step up, much like how championship teams in other leagues operate.
One thing I'd caution against is underestimating the mental aspect of championship basketball. The 2018 Warriors had this psychological edge over opponents that I haven't seen many teams replicate. They played with this calm assurance that they could overcome any deficit or situation. Watching them dismantle opponents was like watching a master craftsman at work - methodical, precise, and utterly relentless. Their ball movement was a thing of beauty, averaging over 28 assists per game during the playoffs, which just shows how well they trusted each other.
When people ask me who won the NBA championship in 2018, I always emphasize that it wasn't just about the Warriors winning - it was about how they won. Their style of play revolutionized modern basketball and set standards for team basketball that we're still seeing influence teams today. The way they integrated Durant while maintaining their core identity was coaching genius, and honestly, I don't think we've seen a team with that combination of talent and chemistry since. That 2018 championship run solidified their place as one of the greatest teams in NBA history, and personally, I consider them the most beautifully constructed team I've ever watched.
Looking back, what made that 2018 Warriors team special was their ability to make excellence look routine. They approached championship basketball with this business-like mentality that separated them from every other team. Much like how June Mar Fajardo maintains his MVP form year after year in the PBA, the Warriors had this incredible consistency at the highest level that just wore opponents down. So when someone wonders who won the NBA championship in 2018 years from now, I'll still be talking about that Warriors team with the same admiration - they weren't just champions, they were artists painting their masterpiece on the basketball court.