Warriors Best The Spurs - Crucial Victory Or Just Another Game?

It has been nearly 24 hours since the Warriors cruised to a rather routine victory over the defending NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs, and many are probably asking themselves: doesn't a win of this magnitude propel the franchise to a new level of legitimacy across the league?
Of course, there are statistics that suggest otherwise. Simply, last evening's game was a small sample size of an entire NBA season. After all, the Warriors were only granted ONE victory, and still have 30 games remaining before their presumable postseason run begins. From San Antonio's perspective, energy could have played a major factor in last night's contest. Their veteran squad had played a highly competitive game against the Los Angeles Clippers the prior evening, whereas the exuberant Warriors had not taken the court in nine days.
However, discrediting the exceptional play of Golden State is unjustifiable. Throughout the season, they have proven themselves as the most resilient team in the NBA, amassing win after win and disposing of opponents rather handily. In fact, last evening's game marked the 32nd double-digit victory of the season for the Warriors.
Particularly in the friendly confines of Oracle Arena, wins have not been hard to come by for Golden State this season. However, last night's win just seemed more significant for numerous reasons. 
First, it marked the first head-to-head victory for rookie coach Steve Kerr over NBA-legend Gregg Popovich. In this sense, it had the feel of a pupil finally besting his teacher, and potentially foreshadowed a new era of Western Conference dominance.
Secondly, all of the viewers who were tracking the game on ESPN were able to see how lethal Golden State can become when triggered. Last night, it did not take much to trigger Golden State's lethal offense.
With 5:08 remaining in the first half, Stephen Curry was whistled for a foul on Tony Parker, although he did not appear to make any sort of contact with Parker on the play. Both Curry and head coach Steve Kerr reacted in disbelief, drawing a technical foul apiece. With emotions running high, complete Golden State domination ensued, as a fiery Stephen Curry went into full "Human Torch" mode.
"I try to have an edge every time I start a game," Curry responded, when asked about the technical foul in a postgame interview, "But things happen and you react to it. That technical foul lit a little fire under me. I enjoy playing in that moment."
Undoubtedly, the entirety of the Warriors roster enjoys watching their point guard's wizardry "in that moment" on a nightly basis. Last night simply proved as a reinforcement of a concrete fact: the Golden State Warriors are going to be a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.
Their quest for their first NBA Title since 1975 continues in Indiana on Sunday.

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