It was almost unfair. Really. When the clock hit zero on June 12, 2017, inside a deafening Oracle Arena, the Golden State Warriors hadn't just beaten the Cleveland Cavaliers—they’d basically rewritten the rules of what an NBA team could be.
They won the series 4-1.
If you were watching back then, you remember the vibe. It wasn't just about a trophy; it was about the sheer, overwhelming force of Kevin Durant joining a 73-win core. People called them a "cheat code." Honestly, they weren't wrong.
Who Won the NBA Finals 2017 and Why it Felt Different
The Golden State Warriors secured the 2017 NBA title, but the "how" is way more interesting than the "who."
After the heartbreaking 2016 collapse—you know, the 3-1 lead that vanished into the thin Cleveland air—the Warriors didn't just lick their wounds. They went out and signed Kevin Durant.
This created a lineup that featured:
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- Stephen Curry (Two-time MVP)
- Kevin Durant (Former MVP and scoring machine)
- Klay Thompson (The best "heat check" shooter ever)
- Draymond Green (The defensive heartbeat)
They went 16-1 in the playoffs. Let that sink in. They were one game away from a literal perfect postseason run. The only blemish was a Game 4 loss in Cleveland where the Cavs had to shoot a ridiculous 24-of-45 from deep just to survive.
The KD Factor
Kevin Durant didn't just win; he dominated.
He took home the Finals MVP award, and it wasn't even a close race. Durant averaged 35.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists over the five games. But stats only tell half the story. The defining moment of his career—and arguably the series—came in Game 3.
The Warriors were trailing late in Cleveland. Durant brought the ball up, didn't wait for a screen, and just pulled up for a cold-blooded three right in LeBron James' face.
The "dagger."
It was the moment everyone realized the Cavs, despite having LeBron and Kyrie Irving playing at superhuman levels, simply didn't have enough fire-power. You can’t guard four Hall of Famers at once.
Breaking Down the Matchup: Warriors vs. Cavaliers
This was the third straight year these two teams met. It was a trilogy. But unlike the first two chapters, this one felt like a heavyweight boxer going up against a guy with a literal sword.
LeBron James was incredible. Like, historically good. He became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double in the Finals: 33.6 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
It still wasn't enough.
Game-by-Game Reality Check
- Game 1: Warriors by 22. Durant has 38. The tone is set.
- Game 2: Warriors by 19. Steph Curry gets his first Finals triple-double.
- Game 3: The KD pull-up three. Warriors win by 5 in a comeback.
- Game 4: Cleveland goes nuclear from three-point range, winning 137-116. Hope? Maybe.
- Game 5: The clincher. A 129-120 Warriors victory back in Oakland.
Klay Thompson’s defense on Kyrie Irving throughout this series is often forgotten, but it was massive. While Kyrie still got his buckets—averaging over 29 a game—Klay made him work for every single inch of hardwood.
The Greatest Team of All Time?
When people talk about who won the NBA finals 2017, the conversation quickly shifts to legacy. Was this 2017 Warriors squad better than the '96 Bulls?
It’s a fun barbershop debate.
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The 2017 Warriors had a level of "spacing" that the 90s couldn't even dream of. You had to guard Steph and Klay 30 feet from the hoop, which left the middle wide open for KD to operate. If you doubled KD, Steph was open. If you doubled Steph, Draymond was throwing a lob to Iguodala.
It was a nightmare to coach against. Tyronn Lue basically had to pick how he wanted to die every possession.
Moving Past the Numbers
What most people get wrong is thinking this was "easy" for Golden State.
Pressure is a funny thing. When you're the heavy favorite—the "villain" team that everyone wants to see fail—the weight of every missed shot feels double. Durant was playing under a microscope. If they had lost, his legacy would have been scorched.
Instead, he hit the big shots.
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What You Should Do Next
If you're a fan of the game or just a student of sports history, go back and watch the fourth quarter of Game 3 or the second-half run of Game 5.
Pay attention to the movement.
The 2017 Warriors weren't just a collection of stars; they were a masterclass in "unselfish" basketball. They led the league in assists. They shared the ball.
To really understand the impact of this win:
- Look at the "KD Era" legacy: Study how this win changed the way NBA front offices build rosters now (the "Super-team" blueprint).
- Analyze LeBron’s 2018 response: See how the 2017 loss forced LeBron into arguably his greatest individual season ever the following year.
- Check out the 16-1 record: Compare it to the 2001 Lakers (15-1 in a different playoff format) to see who truly had the most dominant run.
The 2017 Finals changed the NBA forever. It pushed the talent bar so high that teams are still trying to catch up to that level of efficiency and shooting today.