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2016–17 Golden State Warriors season

The 2016–17 Golden State Warriors season was the 71st season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and its 55th in the San Francisco Bay Area. In the climax season of the Warriors’ dynasty, they won their fifth NBA championship, and second in three seasons, setting the best postseason record in NBA history by going 16–1.[2] This Warriors team is widely considered one of the greatest teams in NBA history. They entered the season as runners-up in the 2016 NBA Finals, after a record breaking regular-season in 2015–16. With the landmark acquisition of free agent and 7-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant in the offseason, the Warriors were hailed as a "superteam" by the media and fans, forming a new All-Star "Fantastic Four" of Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.[3][4][5] The Warriors broke over 20 NBA records on their way to equaling their 2014–15 regular-season record of 67–15, their second most wins in franchise history.

In the postseason, Golden State clinched the top seed in the playoffs for the third successive year. The Warriors swept the Portland Trail Blazers 4–0 in the first round, the Utah Jazz 4–0 in the Western Conference semi-finals and the San Antonio Spurs 4–0 in the Western Conference Finals. The Warriors claimed their fifth NBA Championship by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 4–1 in the NBA Finals, the first time in NBA history two teams have met for a third consecutive year. Golden State became the first team ever to start 15–0 in the playoffs and their fifteen straight wins were the most consecutive postseason wins in NBA history. They also became the first team in all four major professional sports in America to start 15–0 in the postseason.[6] The Warriors set the best playoff record in NBA history by going 16–1 (.941).[7]

Golden State won the Pacific Division title and Western Conference Championship for the third consecutive season. The Warriors became only the second team in NBA history to win 30 road games in back-to-back seasons, joining the 1995–96 and 1996–97 Chicago Bulls. Stephen Curry set numerous three-point NBA records this season; including most three-pointers made in a single game with 13 and most consecutive games (regular-season and postseason combined) with a made three-pointer with 196.[8] Curry also surpassed 300 three-pointers in the regular-season for the second time in NBA history; he finished with 324.[9]

Draymond Green won the Defensive Player of the Year Award at the NBA Awards, the first time a Warrior has won it. Kevin Durant won the NBA Finals MVP award, the third time a Warrior has won it. The Warriors won the Team of the Year Award at the Espy Awards. Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green were all named to the All-Star Game, the first time Golden State have had four All-Stars and just the eighth time in NBA history a single team has had four players in the game.[10] The Warriors were the only team with multiple players named to the All-NBA Team this season, with Curry, Durant and Green all selected. Bob Myers won the Executive of the Year Award, his second win in three years. The Warriors became the fastest team in NBA history to clinch a playoff berth since the playoff format changed in 1984.[11]

Season synopsis

Preseason

The 2016 NBA draft was held on June 23, 2016, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Warriors chose center Damian Jones out of Vanderbilt with the 30th pick of the first round. They also acquired the draft rights of swingman Patrick McCaw, the 38th pick of the second round. Warriors forwards Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green and guard Klay Thompson were selected to participate on the 2016 USA Basketball National Team that competed in the 2016 Olympic Games. The Warriors were the only team with three representatives on the Olympic squad. Stephen Curry withdrew from selection due to injury.[12]

On July 4, seven time All-star forward Kevin Durant announced he was leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the Warriors.[13][14] To clear cap space for Durant, the Warriors traded Andrew Bogut to the Dallas Mavericks and didn't match offers for five of their out of contract free agents, losing Harrison Barnes to the Dallas Mavericks, Brandon Rush to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Leandro Barbosa to the Phoenix Suns, Festus Ezeli to the Portland Trail Blazers and Marreese Speights to the Los Angeles Clippers. Golden State added veteran big men Zaza Pachulia and David West to their roster and retained Ian Clark, James Michael McAdoo and Anderson Varejão. The Warriors added Mike Brown as assistant coach on July 6, replacing Luke Walton, who left to take over as the Los Angeles Lakers head coach.

On August 21, the United States beat Serbia 96–66 at the Rio Summer Olympics to win the Gold medal. Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green joined Chris Mullin (in 1992), as the only Warriors players to capture Olympic Gold medals. Durant led the team by averaging 19.4 points during Team USA's 8–0 run to victory.[15]

The Warriors lost their opening preseason game against the Toronto Raptors on October 1, they then beat the Clippers, Kings, Nuggets, Lakers (twice) and Trail Blazers, to finish preparation for the season with a 6–1 record. Kevin Durant led the team in scoring, averaging 20.9 points per game, followed by Stephen Curry (19.7) and Klay Thompson (18.0). On October 20, Golden State finalized their 15-man roster, with the addition of free agent center JaVale McGee.

Regular season

The Warriors opened the season on October 25, 2016, with a 29-point home loss to the San Antonio Spurs in which Kawhi Leonard scored a career-high 35 points.[16] They would respond by winning their next 4 games, including a 26-point victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder at home on November 3. This marked the first and highly anticipated meeting between former teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Durant scored 39 points in the win, the most by any player debuting against his former team.[17]

After having his streak of consecutive games with a three-pointer come to an end the previous game, Stephen Curry set a new record of 13 three-pointers made in a single game during a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on November 7.[18]

On January 26, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green were all named to the All-Star Game, the first time Golden State have had four All-Stars and just the eighth time in NBA history a single team has had four players in the game. Golden State's Steve Kerr coached the Western Conference team.[10]

On February 25, with the Warriors winning against the Brooklyn Nets,[19] they secured a playoff berth for the fifth consecutive season, the first team in the league for the second consecutive season, and the fastest in the NBA history, beating out their record the previous season by two days.[20]

Postseason

In the playoffs, the Warriors clinched the top seed in the playoffs for the third successive year. The Warriors swept the Portland Trail Blazers in their first round, 4 games to 0, even when Kevin Durant was out for Games 2 and 3. In the semi-finals round, the Warriors were up against the Utah Jazz for the first time since the 2007 Semi-finals round. In Game 3 of the series, Kevin Durant scored a playoff-high 38 points with the Warriors as he led the Warriors towards a 3–0 record against the Jazz.[21] In Game 4, the Warriors opened up with 39 points in the first quarter as Curry and Thompson combined for 51 points to lead the Warriors to a complete sweep against the Jazz. Green also recorded a triple-double of 17 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for the Warriors.[22] In the conference finals round, the Warriors faced the Spurs. In Game 1 of the series, the Warriors rallied back from 25 points down as they beat the Spurs, 113–111, to keep the postseason record unbeaten with 9–0.[23] In Game 3, the Warriors defeated the Spurs, 120–108, to take a 3–0 series lead and improved to 11–0 for the postseason, becoming the third team in NBA History to start a postseason with 11–0 record, joining the 1988-89 Lakers and 2000-01 Lakers.[24] The Warriors also swept the Spurs, thanks to Curry's 36 points, to reach their third NBA Finals in a row for the first time in franchise history. They also improved to 12–0 record in the postseason, the best record in NBA History.[25] The Warriors won its fifth NBA Championship by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 4–1 in the Finals; it was the first time in NBA history two teams have met for a third consecutive year. The Warriors are the first team ever to start 15–0 in the playoffs and their fifteen-game win streak to start the playoffs set the record for most consecutive postseason wins in NBA history. Their 16–1 record is the best playoff record in NBA history, besting the 2000–01 Los Angeles Lakers.

Records

Stephen Curry broke the NBA record for most three-pointers made in a single game this season, with 13.[26]

NBA records

As of June 12, 2017.

Individual

Team

Franchise records

Individual

Team

Draft

Roster


Standings

Division

Conference

Game log

Pre-season

Regular season

Playoffs

Player statistics

Regular season

After all games.[30]
‡ Waived during the season
† Traded during the season
≠ Acquired during the season

Playoffs

Transactions

Trades

Free agency

Re-signed

Additions

Subtractions

Awards

Notes

  1. ^ Mike Brown served as interim head coach during the playoffs from April 22 until June 1 (Game 3 of the first round until Game 1 of the Finals), while Steve Kerr recovered from back surgery complications. He led the Warriors to an 11–0 record.[1]

References

  1. ^ "Mike Brown, the Warriors' new acting head coach, is familiar with the spotlight". The Mercury News. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Purdy: Put a pause on the dynasty talk–and just enjoy this Warriors title". Mercury News. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  3. ^ "Durant's move to Warriors brings NBA 'Superteam' talk". Yahoo News. July 5, 2016.
  4. ^ "How Kevin Durant lived long enough to see himself become a villain". The Guardian. July 6, 2016.
  5. ^ "Kevin Durant makes the Warriors the villain the NBA needs". Fox Sports. July 4, 2016.
  6. ^ "Warriors Become 1st Team in 4 Major Pro Sports to Go 15–0 in Postseason". Bleacher Report. June 7, 2017.
  7. ^ "NBA finals: Golden State Warriors win title against Cavaliers – as it happened". Guardian. June 13, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag "Warriors" (PDF). nba.com. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
  9. ^ "NBA & ABA Single Season Leaders and Records for 3-Pt Field Goals". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  10. ^ a b "Warriors Forward Draymond Green and Guard Klay Thompson Named All-Star Reserves". Warriors.com. January 26, 2017.
  11. ^ Cancian, Dan (February 24, 2020). "Can Milwaukee Win 70 Games? Bucks Make NBA History As They Clinch Earliest Playoff Spot in Current Postseason Format". Newsweek.
  12. ^ "Stephen Curry opts to skip 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro". ESPN.com. June 6, 2016.
  13. ^ "Kevin Durant to sign with Warriors". ESPN.com. July 4, 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  14. ^ "Kevin Durant leaving Thunder to join Steph Curry and the Warriors". CBSSports.com. July 4, 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  15. ^ "Team USA Wins Gold in Rio". Warriors.com. August 21, 2016.
  16. ^ "Warriors Slip in Season Opener". Warriors.com. October 25, 2016.
  17. ^ "Durant Catches Fire as Dubs Down Thunder". Warriors.com. November 3, 2016.
  18. ^ "Curry's Record Splash Party Leads Dubs Past Pelicans". Warriors.com. November 8, 2016.
  19. ^ "Warriors cruise past Nets without Kevin Durant, clinch playoff berth". ESPN.com. February 26, 2017.
  20. ^ "The Warriors just clinched the earliest playoff berth in NBA history". sports.yahoo.com. February 26, 2017.
  21. ^ "Durant scores 38 points, Warriors beat Jazz to take a 3-0 lead". ESPN.com. May 7, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  22. ^ "Curry's 30 lead Warriors to sweep after 121-95 win over Jazz". ESPN.com. May 9, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  23. ^ "Warriors rally 113-111 win after Spurs lose Leonard". ESPN.com. May 15, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  24. ^ "Kevin Durant powers Warriors to take 3-0 lead against the Spurs". ESPN.com. May 21, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  25. ^ "Curry's 36 points leads Warriors to sweep Spurs, 129-115". ESPN.com. May 23, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  26. ^ a b c "NBA Individual Regular Season Records for 3-Point Field Goals". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  27. ^ "Four all-stars?!? Warriors join rare NBA company". Mercury News. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  28. ^ "Warriors select Vanderbilt center Damian Jones with 30th overall pick in 2016 NBA draft". nba.com/warriors. June 23, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  29. ^ "Warriors sign rookie center Damian Jones to contract". nba.com/warriors. July 13, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  30. ^ "2016-17 Golden State Warriors Roster and Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  31. ^ "Golden State acquires draft rights to Patrick McCaw from Milwaukee for cash considerations". nba.com/warriors. June 23, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  32. ^ "Warriors sign rookie guard Patrick McCaw to contract". nba.com/warriors. July 6, 2016. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  33. ^ "Warriors trade center Andrew Bogut to Dallas". nba.com/warriors. July 7, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  34. ^ "Warriors re-sign free agent guard Ian Clark". nba.com/warriors. July 8, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  35. ^ "Warriors re-sign free agent forward James Michael McAdoo". nba.com/warriors. July 13, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  36. ^ "Warriors re-sign free agent center Anderson Varejão". nba.com/warriors. July 17, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  37. ^ "Warriors sign free agent forward Kevin Durant". nba.com/warriors. July 7, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  38. ^ "Warriors sign free agent forward David West". nba.com/warriors. July 9, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  39. ^ "Warriors sign free agent center Zaza Pachulia". nba.com/warriors. July 12, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  40. ^ "Warriors sign Brianté Weber to 10-day contract". nba.com/warriors. February 4, 2017. Retrieved February 4, 2017.
  41. ^ "Warriors sign Briante Weber to second 10-day contract". nba.com/warriors. February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  42. ^ "Warriors sign Matt Barnes". nba.com/warriors. March 2, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  43. ^ "Mavs sign Harrison Barnes to offer sheet". mavs.com. July 7, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  44. ^ "Trail Blazers sign Festus Ezeli". nba.com/blazers. July 8, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  45. ^ "Timberwolves sign guard/forward Brandon Rush". nba.com/timberwolves. July 8, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  46. ^ "Clippers sign Marreese Speights". nba.com/clippers. July 12, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  47. ^ "Suns sign Leandro Barbosa to multiyear deal". nba.com/suns. July 19, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  48. ^ "Warriors Waive Anderson Varejão". nba.com/warriors. February 3, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  49. ^ Kevin Durant Named Western Conference Player of the Week
  50. ^ Steve Kerr Named Western Conference Coach of the Month
  51. ^ Stephen Curry Named Western Conference Player of the Week
  52. ^ Wizards' Scott Brooks, Warriors' Steve Kerr named Coaches of the Month for January
  53. ^ Thomas, Curry and Durant named Kia Players of Month for January
  54. ^ "Warriors' Steve Kerr to coach West All-Stars". NBA.com. January 23, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  55. ^ "Jimmy Butler, Stephen Curry named NBA Players of the Week". NBA.com. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  56. ^ "Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant claims Finals MVP". NBA.com. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  57. ^ "Draymond Green Named 2016-17 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year". NBA.com. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  58. ^ "Bob Myers Named 2016-17 NBA Executive of the Year". NBA.com. Retrieved June 26, 2017.