The Warriors have a 73-win banner hanging in their practice facility. https://t.co/VgQnDeBxqm pic.twitter.com/wQxM7Zukf3
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) October 6, 2016
The 2015-16 Golden State Warriors spent an entire season being as unbeatable as any team, ever. Their 73 wins in the regular season broke a record by Michael Jordan’s Bulls some thought would never be broken, and it was well-earned with remarkable health and play from a uniquely talented and cohesive roster. Even after all that, they couldn’t close the deal and blew a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals, joining the 2007 New England Patriots as two of the greatest teams of all time to finish without a ring. But at least they can hang a banner, right?
Teams are allowed to hang banners for whatever they please, just like a franchise’s owner can give his organization rings for making the second round of the playoffs if he wanted. But when you win 73 games and ultimately finish in defeat, hanging a banner in your practice facility to commemorate the former achievement just makes it seem like you’re glossing over the latter disappointment. It also, like anything the Warriors have done since June, opened them up to get clowned by Cavs fans … and Dubs haters.
https://twitter.com/martinrickman/status/788089783453036544
https://twitter.com/mikeinparma/status/788029665545969664
Not to be outdone, it looks like Warriors are raising a banner of their own opening night! @Reflog_18 pic.twitter.com/am1AEj3Ldx
— Ryan Lachanski (@rlachanski) October 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/Pchopz_/status/787857760859918336
I'm trying to push my guts back into my body from laughing so hard at this Warriors banner they hung up pic.twitter.com/h7BIVLV0m9
— WayneEmbrysKids Official (@WayneEmbrysKids) October 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/theMVJ/status/788025120484974593
It’s telling that the Dubs put this up in their practice facility rather than hold a ceremony to hang it from the rafters of Oracle Arena, because then they’d feel more pressure to explain why, oh why does it not say 2016 NBA Champions on it?
Banners are for winners, is what we’re saying.