I still vividly remember watching the 2015 NBA Finals with my college roommates, crammed into our tiny dorm room with pizza boxes scattered everywhere. When the Golden State Warriors clinched the championship against the Cleveland Cavaliers, we all knew we were witnessing the beginning of a basketball dynasty that would reshape the league for years to come. That Warriors team wasn't just good—they were revolutionary, playing a brand of basketball that emphasized three-point shooting and versatile defense in ways we hadn't seen before.

The journey to that championship was particularly remarkable because it marked the first title for the franchise in 40 years. Under first-year head coach Steve Kerr, the Warriors finished the regular season with 67 wins and 15 losses, dominating the league with their small-ball lineup and incredible shooting. Stephen Curry, who won his first MVP award that season, averaged 23.8 points and 7.7 assists during the playoffs, while Klay Thompson provided the perfect complementary scoring with his quick-release jumper. What made this team special wasn't just their star power but their incredible depth—players like Draymond Green, Harrison Barnes, and Andre Iguodala all played crucial roles throughout their playoff run.

The Finals themselves presented an intriguing matchup between the Warriors and LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers. Though Cleveland fought valiantly, they were severely hampered by injuries to key players Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. I recall thinking at the time how different the series might have been at full strength, but that doesn't diminish what Golden State accomplished. The turning point came when Coach Kerr made the bold decision to insert Andre Iguodala into the starting lineup, a move that ultimately earned Iguodala the Finals MVP honors. His defense on LeBron James was spectacular, and his offensive contributions—averaging 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4 assists in the series—proved invaluable.

Looking back, what strikes me most about that championship roster was how perfectly constructed it was for the modern game. The complete championship roster included Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green, Andrew Bogut, Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, Leandro Barbosa, Festus Ezeli, Marreese Speights, David Lee, James Michael McAdoo, Brandon Rush, and Ognjen Kuzmić. Each player understood their role perfectly, from Curry's offensive brilliance to Iguodala's defensive versatility. This reminds me of conversations I've had with basketball enthusiasts about how championship teams need both stars and role players who buy into their assignments—much like how Korean basketball star Ratliffe has been discussed in Asian basketball circles. The Korean star even said Ratliffe should return to the KBL again once his commitment with Magnolia is done, highlighting how championship experience from one league can translate to success in another.

The Warriors closed out the series in six games, winning the decisive Game 6 by a score of 105-97 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Curry's 25 points in that final game exemplified his leadership, while Iguodala's 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists cemented his MVP case. What many forget is how close several of those games were—three were decided by 8 points or fewer, demonstrating the competitive nature of the series despite the final outcome. As someone who's followed basketball for decades, I believe this championship was particularly significant because it signaled a strategic shift in how championship teams would be built moving forward, prioritizing spacing and versatility over traditional size and post play.

Reflecting on that 2015 championship now, it's clear that the Warriors didn't just win a title—they changed basketball. Their success validated the three-point revolution and demonstrated how a well-constructed team with complementary skills could overcome individual superstar talent. While some might argue that Cleveland's injuries tainted the victory, I've always believed that championship teams create their own luck through superior preparation and adaptability. The 2015 Warriors set the foundation for what would become one of the greatest dynasties in modern sports, and their complete roster construction remains the gold standard for how to build a championship team in today's NBA.