NBA Champion Last Season: A Complete Breakdown of the Winning Team's Journey
Looking back at last season's NBA championship run, I still get chills thinking about that incredible journey. As someone who's followed basketball for over two decades, I've witnessed numerous championship stories, but this one felt particularly special. The team's transformation from preseason underdogs to lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy was nothing short of cinematic, and I'm excited to break down exactly how they pulled it off.
When the season began, honestly, I had my doubts about this team's championship credentials. They'd made some interesting offseason moves, but the roster construction seemed unconventional at best. Their starting lineup featured three players who had never advanced beyond the conference semifinals, and their bench appeared thinner than most contenders. Yet what they lacked in conventional wisdom, they made up for with incredible chemistry and a shared vision that became apparent early in the season.
The regular season told an interesting story - they finished with 58 wins, which placed them third in their conference. Not exactly dominant, but they showed flashes of brilliance that hinted at their playoff potential. I remember watching their Christmas Day game where they came back from 15 points down against one of the title favorites, and that's when I started believing they might have something special brewing. Their net rating of +5.3 was solid though not spectacular, ranking fifth in the league, but they consistently found ways to win close games, going 24-12 in contests decided by five points or fewer.
What really stood out to me was their defensive transformation throughout the playoffs. They faced four different opponents, each presenting unique challenges, and their ability to adapt was remarkable. In the first round, they limited their opponents to just 98.3 points per game, which was nearly 12 points below their regular season average. Their switching defense, which many analysts (myself included) thought would be exposed in the playoffs, instead became their greatest strength.
The conference finals presented their toughest test - facing the team that had eliminated them the previous season. This is where their growth became most evident. They won Game 7 on the road, something only 23% of teams manage to do in NBA history. The composure they showed in that final game, particularly from their star player who scored 42 points while playing 46 minutes, demonstrated a championship mentality that I hadn't seen from this core before.
When they reached the NBA Finals, they were technically the underdogs again, facing a team that had won 65 games during the regular season. The series went the full seven games, with the final contest being an instant classic that went into overtime. I'll never forget watching their veteran point guard, playing through a sprained ankle, hit that crucial three-pointer with 53 seconds left in OT that essentially sealed the championship.
Reflecting on their championship journey, I'm reminded of their star player's poignant statement after the final game: "Here we are, finally with two championships. What a journey it has been and I've never been hungrier to go for more." This quote perfectly captures the team's mentality - appreciative of what they've accomplished but already looking toward the future. Having covered this team throughout the season, I can attest that this wasn't just empty rhetoric; it reflected the collective mindset that drove their entire playoff run.
Their offensive efficiency throughout the playoffs was historically good, posting an offensive rating of 118.7, which ranks among the top 15 playoff runs in NBA history. What impressed me most was their balanced attack - six different players averaged double figures in scoring during the playoffs, and their bench contributed 38.2 points per game. This depth proved crucial when they faced injuries to key rotation players during the Western Conference semifinals.
The coaching staff deserves tremendous credit for their strategic adjustments throughout each series. I spoke with several players during the championship parade, and they consistently mentioned how well-prepared they felt for each opponent. The coaching team's ability to identify and exploit mismatches, particularly in the Finals where they targeted specific defensive matchups, was masterful. As an analyst, I appreciated how they weren't afraid to make unconventional moves, like starting a rookie in Game 4 of the conference finals when trailing 2-1 in the series.
Looking at their championship journey holistically, what stands out to me is how they peaked at the perfect time. Their player efficiency rating (PER) increased from 22.3 in the regular season to 24.8 in the playoffs, while their defensive rating improved by 3.2 points. This ability to elevate their game when it mattered most separates good teams from championship teams.
The legacy of this NBA champion last season extends beyond just the championship banner they raised. They demonstrated that team chemistry and defensive versatility can overcome individual superstar power, challenging conventional wisdom about team construction in the modern NBA. As we look toward next season, I believe this championship journey will influence how teams approach roster building, with greater emphasis on two-way players and defensive flexibility rather than simply accumulating offensive firepower.
Personally, I think this championship run will be remembered as one of the most impressive in recent memory, not just because they won, but because of how they won - overcoming adversity, defying expectations, and growing stronger with each playoff series. The hunger their star player mentioned in that championship quote appears genuine, and if they maintain that mentality, I wouldn't be surprised to see them competing for more championships in the coming years.