OAKLAND–The trophy was hoisted in June, and finally, on a warm October evening, the banner was raised.
Minutes before the Warriors tipped off the 2017-2018 regular season against the Houston Rockets, Golden State raised its fifth championship banner in franchise history, as the 2017 flag joined ones from 2015, 1975, 1956 and 1947.
Before the Warriors trotted out the same starting lineup that guided them to an NBA Finals victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer, Golden State honored the members of its 2016-2017 team with an elaborate ring ceremony.
“This is a truly amazing night to celebrate an amazing accomplishment by everyone on this floor, by this organization and especially you fans,” Warriors star Steph Curry said.
After winning 67 games during last year’s regular season, the Warriors went 16-1 in the postseason, losing only a single game to the Cavaliers in the Finals after sweeping the Trailblazers, Jazz and Spurs in their first three playoff series. That postseason record bested the winning percentage of the 2000-2001 Los Angeles Lakers, who held the previous NBA-best mark after going 15-1 en route to a championship 16 years ago.
In total, the Warriors have 12 players back from their 2017 championship roster and all received their rings on Tuesday.
Two in three years ?? pic.twitter.com/S1OnOWJPwr
— KNBR (@KNBR) October 18, 2017
Looks like The Bay’s still got love for Festus pic.twitter.com/kuYgR6QtMO
— KNBR (@KNBR) October 18, 2017