The Golden State Warriors could make another run at history as they face losing their chances for a back-to-back NBA championship.
The Warriors are in the brink of elimination after the OKC Thunder managed to contain the defending champions to a commanding 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven Western Conference finals series. But despite a potential disappointing end to the Warriors' season, there is still hope for Golden State to recover from a dire situation only few were able to overcome.
After posting an NBA record 73 wins and nine losses in a single season, the Warriors could make another historical run. This time, Golden State could be the 10th team in NBA history to comeback from a 3-1 deficit.
Only nine teams in NBA history have ever won a playoff series after being down three games to one. The most recent to achieve such feat are the Houston Rockets, who eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers in the semifinal round of last year's playoffs. Interestingly, the Warriors are facing the same pattern the Rockets had, losing Games 1, 3 and 4 before winning all the last three remaining matches in convincing fashion.
Leandro Barbosa, the Warriors backup guard, had a firsthand experience of being able to stage a come-from-behind series win when the Brazilian blur was still in his prime playing for the Phoenix Suns. After trailing 3-1 in their quarterfinals matchup against Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers back in 2006, the Suns were able to win three-straight games, with Barbosa scoring 26 points in a 121-90 Game 7 victory.
The Warriors is clearly in a different situation facing a Thunder team who has suddenly presented a different brand of basketball to what OKC has been playing all-season long. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have taken charge of the series by becoming the superstars that they are, and drawing some help from their unexpectedly playoff efficient supporting casts.
However, the possibilities of saving the franchise to a potential exit is there, especially if Stephen Curry and Draymond Green become factors once again. Curry, who was awarded a second-straight MVP award, was lackluster in the last two games at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Likewise, Green was almost non-existent while also a subject of head-scratching decisions that led to many turnovers the Thunder were able to capitalize.
"The series isn't over," Curry said, reports ESPN. "We've got to believe in ourselves. There's obviously frustration. It's a terrible feeling once again not stepping up and being ourselves and playing our game."
"But I think we're a special team. This isn't how we're going to go out."
A team that has descended to one of the most dominating clubs in the NBA could certainly be considered special, mainly considering a remarkable season that saw the Warriors break records-after-records. There is a possibility of turning things around if the Warriors, who have not lost back-to-back games in the regular season, could channel their form that won them 73 games.
If the team is looking for an inspiration aside from a second-consecutive NBA title in the Bay Area, Steve Kerr and his team may want to remember how the Rockets toppled the Clippers last year, or just have Barbosa give some sort of inspirational speech.