The Warriors blowing a 3-1 series lead in the 2016 NBA Finals is something that Golden State will never live down. It will now be a footnote whenever the team is mentioned.
During the collective bargaining talks last year, Warriors owner Joe Lacob revealed that while having dinner with Michael Jordan and a few other owners, his Airness let him know that those 73 wins were without significance since they were unable to capture a title.
“On the collective bargaining agreement, I was on the labor committee and I was in New York having a bunch of dinners with Michael Jordan and other owners,” Lacob said, perhaps humble-bragging. “There were six of us. Actually, Dan was one of them, Dan Gilbert. Anyway, Michael Jordan — people are drinking and having a good time and all that, but there was a moment where he said, you know, ’73 don’t mean [blank].’ He did it, Michael Jordan did that. And I looked at him and I just decided not to make a big deal of it. I said, you know, you’re right, we didn’t win it, we had to get better.” (via CBS Sports)
Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to the previously held record of 72 wins in the 95-96 season, and they went on to win the title. He and his former teammates aren’t just piling on the Warriors failure, it is something that they have toted for a long time. Back in 1996 Ron Harper gave the team these t-shirts:
And Jordan himself stated this last season after the accomplished the feat.
“I want to congratulate the Warriors on their amazing season. The game of basketball is always evolving and records are made to be broken. The Warriors have been a lot of fun to watch and I look forward to seeing what they do in the playoffs.“ (via Fox Sports).
Nonetheless, Lacob stated that he is still very proud of the Warriors season and feels that the perception of that season will change as time passes.
As great as it was to watch the Warriors accomplish 73 wins, it will be hard to forget them blowing a 3-1 lead, but as owner Joe Lacob stated, only time will tell.
