The Los Angeles Lakes-Golden State Warriors Western Conference semi-finals matchup was one of the most anticipated second-round matchups in recent NBA history. And when the dust finally settled, it was the Lake Show that emerged victoriously in six games.
Los Angeles defended its home court for the sixth time in the NBA Playoffs, comfortably beating the Warriors in a game that the team controlled throughout. All the worries of a Game 7 in the Bay Area are wiped away as Lakers fans now prepare for the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference.
This game wasn’t just important because the Lakers advanced. This game appears like it could be a turning-point moment in NBA history. After years of battling them in the NBA Finals, LeBron James may have officially ended the Warriors dynasty.
Lakers have ended the Warriors dynasty with the Game 6 win.
Golden State is a team that never seems to die but this very well could be the death nail for this current run for the franchise. Stephen Curry will still be around the team will still be relevant for that reason but the same Warriors dynasty that NBA fans know and love is likely over.
There is a really good chance that Draymond Green, who is a central figure in this dynasty, will be on another team next season. There is even a chance that he may join LeBron and Anthony Davis in Los Angeles as well.
Green has a player option for next season and this is the last real chance for him to get a big pay day. Meanwhile, the NBA and NBAPA have agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement that will implement harsher penalties for teams way over the luxury tax. The Warriors are that team.
For that reason, Golden State may have no other option than to let Green walk. The team may also have to consider salary-dump deals for either Jordan Poole or Andrew Wiggins just so it doesn’t hurt them in the future.
There is a reason why everyone around the Warriors looked so somber after the game. They know that this is a fork-in-the-road moment.
Meanwhile, the Lake Show will continue its title dreams in the Western Conference Finals, which nobody expected would actually happen six months ago. If LeBron and co. can pull this off then it really will be the most impressive championship of his Hall of Fame career.