A Look Back at the NBA Finals 2018: Golden State's Championship Journey

I remember sitting in my living room that June evening, the air thick with anticipation as Game 4 of the 2018 NBA Finals unfolded before me. The Golden State Warriors were chasing their third championship in four years, and what struck me most wasn't just their incredible talent, but the psychological journey they'd undertaken to reach this pinnacle. Having followed basketball for over fifteen years, I've witnessed numerous championship runs, but Golden State's 2018 campaign stood apart in how they channeled external pressures into fuel. Their journey reminds me of something I once heard Filipino basketball player Mark Nambatac express in a post-game interview: "May freedom naman na i-express 'yung feelings niyo. Para sa akin, okay lang din 'yun kasi at least nakikita nila na may maling nangyayari sa akin. So para sa akin, motivation na din 'yun." This philosophy of transforming criticism into motivation perfectly encapsulates what made the Warriors' championship run so compelling.

The Warriors entered the 2018 playoffs carrying the weight of expectations that would crush most teams. They'd just come off a 2017 championship where they'd dominated with a 16-1 postseason record, and now everyone expected them to repeat. I recall watching their regular season and noticing something different - they weren't just playing to win, they were playing to prove something. When Draymond Green and Kevin Durant had their now-famous sideline confrontation in November 2017, many speculated it would fracture the team. Instead, it became a turning point. They finished the regular season with 58 wins, second in the Western Conference, but what struck me was how they seemed to be conserving energy, waiting for the moment that truly mattered. The playoffs revealed their true form - they swept the Spurs in the first round, then faced real tests against New Orleans and Houston. That Western Conference Finals against the Rockets was, in my opinion, the actual championship series that year. Being down 3-2 to Houston, facing elimination on the road - that's when their championship DNA truly surfaced.

Looking back at the NBA Finals 2018 specifically, what fascinates me isn't just the 4-0 sweep against Cleveland, but how Golden State approached each game with a different mentality. Game 1 was a statement - they won in overtime despite LeBron James' 51-point masterpiece, a performance that still gives me chills when I rewatch highlights. I remember thinking after that game that the series was over, not because Cleveland played poorly, but because Golden State had stolen a game they probably should have lost. That JR Smith blunder in the final seconds of regulation became the turning point, but what impressed me was how the Warriors capitalized on that opportunity. They didn't just get lucky - they remained composed when chaos unfolded. Game 2 saw Steph Curry break the Finals record for three-pointers with 9, finishing with 33 points, while in Game 3, it was Kevin Durant's iconic 43-point performance that essentially sealed the series. What many forget is that Golden State actually trailed by 13 at halftime in Game 3 - a deficit that would have rattled most teams. Instead, they outscored Cleveland 31-23 in the third quarter, demonstrating the "strength in numbers" philosophy that had become their trademark.

The psychological aspect of their journey resonates with Nambatac's perspective about using criticism as motivation. Throughout that season, the Warriors faced constant scrutiny - about Durant's impending free agency, about team chemistry issues, about whether their dominance was bad for the league. I believe they used these external pressures to bond together, much like Nambatac described: seeing the "maling nangyayari" or wrong things happening to them, and converting that perception into motivational fuel. When people criticized their style as "too soft" or "reliant on shooting," they responded by becoming one of the best defensive teams in the league, holding opponents to just 102.8 points per game in the playoffs. When commentators claimed they couldn't win close games, they went 5-1 in games decided by 5 points or fewer during those playoffs. This ability to transform perceived weaknesses into strengths defined their championship mentality.

From a strategic standpoint, what made Golden State's approach so effective was their versatility. They could beat you in multiple ways - through Curry's unparalleled shooting, Durant's unstoppable scoring, Klay Thompson's explosive quarters, or Draymond Green's defensive mastery. In Game 4 of the Finals, when they completed the sweep with a 108-85 victory, it was their defense that stood out to me. They held Cleveland to 34% shooting from the field - an astonishing number against a team featuring LeBron James. The Warriors recorded 13 steals and 9 blocks that game, demonstrating that their offensive fireworks were complemented by relentless defensive effort. This balanced approach is something I've tried to implement in my own coaching at the youth level - teaching players that championships are won through comprehensive excellence, not just offensive prowess.

Reflecting on that championship run years later, what stands out isn't just the trophy celebration, but the journey itself. The Warriors faced more adversity than people remember - significant injuries to key players throughout the season, internal conflicts, and the tremendous pressure of being the team everyone wanted to beat. Yet they finished the playoffs with a 16-5 record, outscoring opponents by an average of 8.5 points per game. Their ability to maintain focus through distractions, to use criticism as Nambatac described - as motivation rather than discouragement - offers valuable lessons beyond basketball. In business, in creative pursuits, in personal growth, we all face moments where external opinions could derail us. The Warriors showed me that the most successful teams aren't those who avoid criticism, but those who harness it, who allow it to strengthen their resolve rather than weaken their foundation. That 2018 championship wasn't just about talent - it was about mentality, about finding freedom in expression as Nambatac described, and channeling every experience, positive or negative, toward a singular goal.

By Heather Schnese S’12, content specialist

2025-11-17 09:00