Eight years ago today, the Golden State Warriors completed a journey that would forever alter the course of NBA history. On June 16, 2015, the Dubs hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the first time in 40 years, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games to become NBA champions. It wasn’t just a championship win—it was the birth of a dynasty, a cultural revolution in basketball, and the validation of a franchise that had long been mired in mediocrity. That magical night in Cleveland didn’t just belong to Golden State—it belonged to every fan who had endured the decades of disappointment, every player who had worn the blue and gold with pride, and every believer who held out hope that someday, the Bay would rise again.
The Warriors’ path to the 2015 title didn’t start in that season. It was years in the making, a slow and steady rebuild built on shrewd draft picks, savvy trades, and a culture shift that placed trust in youth, chemistry, and innovation. Stephen Curry, whose meteoric rise to superstardom changed the way basketball is played, was drafted in 2009. At the time, few envisioned him becoming the face of the league. Injuries plagued his early career, and questions about his durability lingered. But when the Warriors chose to believe in his potential, locking him into a modest four-year, \$44 million extension in 2012, they were unknowingly laying the foundation for one of the greatest teams in NBA history.
By the time the 2014-15 season arrived, the pieces were all in place. Curry had blossomed into a two-time All-Star. Klay Thompson had established himself as a deadly perimeter shooter and elite perimeter defender. Draymond Green, the emotional engine and defensive savant, had emerged from the second round of the 2012 draft to become a crucial cog. Andre Iguodala, a seasoned veteran and former All-Star, brought leadership and versatility. Then there was Steve Kerr, the first-year head coach who arrived with five championship rings as a player and a vision of unselfish, high-octane basketball. Under his guidance, the Warriors flourished, winning a franchise-record 67 games in the regular season and redefining the concept of “team basketball.”
That team wasn’t just good. It was fun. The Warriors played with a joyous energy, a sense of freedom that captivated fans across the globe. Their offense was a symphony of ball movement, spacing, and lethal shooting, and their defense—anchored by Green and Andrew Bogut—was equally impressive. Curry won the NBA MVP that year, dazzling audiences with impossible three-pointers and no-look passes. Night after night, the Warriors weren’t just winning—they were dismantling opponents with flair.
Their playoff run was not without challenges. In the first round, they swept the New Orleans Pelicans, thanks in part to Curry’s unforgettable game-winning three-pointer in Game 3. In the second round, they battled a gritty Memphis Grizzlies team and fell behind 2–1 before rallying to win three straight. In the Western Conference Finals, they dispatched the Houston Rockets in five games. Then came the Finals—a matchup against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The series was billed as a showdown between the league’s best team and the game’s best player. James, playing without Kevin Love and with a hobbled Kyrie Irving, delivered heroic performances, including a 44-point effort in Game 1 and back-to-back triple-doubles. After three games, the Cavaliers led the series 2–1, and doubt began to creep in. But Kerr made a bold decision in Game 4—he inserted Iguodala into the starting lineup in place of Bogut, effectively going small and unleashing the “Death Lineup” that would become legendary.
That move changed everything. Iguodala’s defense on James and his steady offensive contributions shifted the momentum of the series. The Warriors won Game 4 in Cleveland to tie the series. They returned to Oracle Arena for Game 5 and took a 3–2 lead behind Curry’s 37-point masterpiece. And then, on June 16, 2015, they finished the job in Cleveland. The final score: Warriors 105, Cavaliers 97. The long wait was over.
Iguodala was named Finals MVP, a nod to his selflessness and impact on both ends of the floor. Curry and Thompson celebrated with tears and laughter. Draymond Green, always the heart and soul, gave an emotional speech about what the win meant to him. For Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, the team’s owners, it was vindication for their ambitious rebuild. For Bob Myers, the general manager who’d made bold but calculated moves, it was the culmination of a vision executed to perfection.
But perhaps most significantly, the 2015 title changed how the world viewed the Warriors. No longer were they the lovable underdogs or the team with potential. They were champions. And they were just getting started.
That championship sparked a run of dominance rarely seen in sports. Over the next four seasons, the Warriors would reach the NBA Finals every year, winning two more titles in 2017 and 2018 and assembling one of the most talented rosters ever when they signed Kevin Durant. But 2015 was the purest, most joyful of them all. It was the one that wasn’t supposed to happen. It was the moment when a franchise turned the page on decades of futility and embraced greatness.
Eight years later, the memories remain as vivid as ever. Warriors fans still remember the exact moment Curry sank his last dagger. They remember Iguodala raising the MVP trophy and Kerr hoisting the championship hardware for the first time as a head coach. They remember the sea of blue and gold in Oakland as the championship parade rolled through the city. For longtime fans, it was a dream fulfilled. For newer ones, it was the start of an unforgettable ride.
That 2015 team didn’t just win a title—they redefined what was possible in basketball. Their pace-and-space offense, built around elite shooting and constant motion, inspired a generation of young players. Their defensive versatility, willingness to switch, and unrelenting intensity set a new standard. Their camaraderie, selflessness, and love for the game became their signature.
There’s a certain magic to that first championship. It’s not just about banners or rings—it’s about what it represents. For the Warriors, it was about breaking free from the past and embracing a bold future. It was about silencing critics and exceeding expectations. It was about proving that a team built the right way—with homegrown talent, smart coaching, and a commitment to culture—could rise to the top.
As the NBA continues to evolve, the impact of the 2015 Warriors remains undeniable. You see it in the way teams build their rosters. You see it in how spacing and shooting have become foundational. You see it in the enduring legacy of Curry, whose influence transcends stats and accolades. He inspired kids everywhere to believe that greatness doesn’t require size or strength—just heart, skill, and confidence.
On this anniversary, Warriors fans have every reason to celebrate. That night in Cleveland, eight years ago, was more than just a game. It was a golden moment in time, the start of something special, and a chapter in NBA history that will be cherished forever. The 2015 title wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. A declaration that the Golden State Warriors had arrived. And as we now know, they weren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
