Making the Case - 2017 Warriors

[@ClaytonCrowley]

Thanks to NordVPN for their support! - Go to nordvpn.com/clayton to get 73% off a 2-year plan plus 1 additional month for free, only $3.16 per month!

[@LeaFarNas802]

who cares about what you feel and think. move on.

[@apuiachhakchhuak630]

@Fries 7 up in u in ni hi hu hu hu 7u7î ni ihhhhiuhii

[@DirtiestDMusic]

Really enjoyed these videos. What will you do now?

[@wwfchriswwf]

I need a collab project between you and Jxmy. Pleaseee

[@justinschmelzel8806]

So what I am about to say may not be fair, but I think you missed a team. The greatest team in Basketball history. They never lost a game, every game they played was complete blow out with the closest person still losing by 32 points. They never won a ring, but that's because they never played for one. They played for a medal. The 1992 Dream Team.

[@theDanDeleon]

“Without Kevin we were a Championship team. With Kevin, we became unfair.” -Steve Kerr

[@jullianmolina8842]

@Fries he was for sure, klay and curry were the shooting threats, green was the defensive god and rebounding threat Iggy somewhat less but still similar and then there was the ONE thing gsw needed which was someone to drive in and KD is a different breed when it comes to driving in and shooting those 2’s. They meshed so well together it was unbelievable

[@greyklopstock7155]

@@jullianmolina8842 yup. KD was like, "if you somehow, someway, stop Curry, Klay, Draymond, AND Iggy, we just give the ball to KD and he'll swish a midi from the top of the key." The team was already the Beatles. Adding Kevin Durant was like adding Eric Clapton. Just a ridiculous amount of talent. And I'm a lifelong warriors fan

[@HT-sm9dm]

@@greyklopstock7155 if you somehow, someway stop Draymond and Iggy 😂😂😂. Stop it dawg. Just STOP IT.

[@Bigdoggobrien]

@@HT-sm9dm triple single🤣

[@turnerburner922]

This quote is fake or nah?

[@caolanfleming1384]

No matter how good any other team was none of them "ruined the sport" like this one did. They were the best.

[@armandtonga4501]

Well said

[@NicolasAlcalde]

What did Bill Russel's Celtics do?

[@joshiejandro2321]

@@NicolasAlcalde they don’t count for this if you listen to the intro

[@NicolasAlcalde]

@@joshiejandro2321 What does that have to do with my reply or the comment I replied to?

[@steelwall4396]

@@NicolasAlcalde I'm a Celtics fan. If we're talking the teams play eachother in a 7 game series, no team takes the Warriors 7 games No Bulls, no Celtics, no Lakers team. None. It took an incredible performance from the Cavs to take a game, and that Cavs team is one of the best we've ever seen. The Warriors beat one of the 3 best teams in East Central history 4-1 They swept one of the 5 best teams in southwest history as well They had one of the hardest playoff runs in NBA history and only dropped 1 game. If we're talking relative dominance, it's still the Warriors. When it mattered they were the best team in the NBA on both ends. The only team I've seen do that before is the 95 Bulls and the league was very weak then The Celtics had the greatest relative defense in NBA history, but a below average offense. The Warriors had no such flaws

[@bobbob5541]

2001 Lakers - Unstoppable Duo 1986 Celtics - Bird's Brainchild 1971 Bucks - Pure Dominance 1996 Bulls - Jordan's Best 1989 Pistons - Bad Boy Defense 1987 Lakers - Showtime Offense 1972 Lakers - Beating Fate 2017 Warriors - Plain Unfair

[@bobbob5541]

Clayton you're the Man!

[@tarransanders21]

Pin this. Surely the most succinct descriptors for the teams in this entire series.

[@chrisrodsa210]

🖕No Spurs

[@javigar133]

No, the unfair team was the 87 Lakers, The best collection of tallent. What do you mean by Bird's Brainchild??? That sounds disrespectful

[@resurrectedpa]

@@javigar133 stop being the hater. How is the Warriors not the greatest collection of talent?

[@stratosphere2323]

The fact that the 2016 Warriors were 5 points away from also making this list just says it all really. They didn’t even need KD to be one of the greatest teams of all time, so when they added him it was just overkill.

[@javigar133]

In the weakest era of basketball...

[@Charlie-jf1me]

@@javigar133 Try the 70s or 00s

[@Will-sv9mf]

@@javigar133 you mean the smartest?

[@gluserty]

At the time, I considered the acquisition of Kevin Durant as a fail-safe for the Warriors, to make sure something like what occurred in 2016 wouldn't happen again.

[@brianlara6451]

If they win in 2016 does kd join them tho? How do you break up 73-9 championship team. All Barnes had to do was hit two wide open jumpers and kyries 3 wouldn’t have mattered. Those scoreless 4 minutes were some of the best defensive bball ever.

[@PS4everROCKS]

I always thought that this team shifted the way people saw Lebron because now he was the lone hero going up against the invincible villains. Imagine being that good of a team that you make one of the greatest players in history into an underdog.

[@guilhermevieira6010]

That cavs team was not an all time great team

[@resurrectedpa]

@@guilhermevieira6010 "one of the greatest players" lol

[@guilhermevieira6010]

@@resurrectedpa he was an underdog because that cavs team was not an all time great team

[@resurrectedpa]

@@guilhermevieira6010 oh ok.

[@nickk148]

@@guilhermevieira6010 2017 Cavs were better than 2016. They were an all-time great team. And still lost 4-1 in the finals. Just goes to show how unfair those warriors were. Best ever IMO

[@Hikmat25bader]

The only team i can think of who could have 3 players go for 60 at any given night, 3 all defensive players, while having 2 MVPs in their prime... It was greatness

[@guilhermevieira6010]

KD career high is 54 points, not 60

[@sebaj8386]

@@guilhermevieira6010 doesn’t matter if kd goes for 60 no one would be surprised. Man averages 30 pts a season like nothing.

[@guilhermevieira6010]

@@sebaj8386and they can go for 60 in this era, not in the 90s or 00s where defenses were more physical and the pace was slower

[@sebaj8386]

@@guilhermevieira6010 why do ppl keep bringing the past up like it means shit, they win now and score now in their time. Lmfao they have no reason to score in 90s cause that’s impossible….they’re doing it now in the present.

[@guilhermevieira6010]

@@sebaj8386 because we're talking about the best team of all time, not the best team of this era lol.

[@cubfan]

Every Warriors highlight with KD scoring, just shows how good the Warriors were. KD driving past a defender due to his size & quickness. If you move a man over to help, you have steph ready to take the open 3 which is even worse. If you move from the weak side, Klay is there ready for the 3 which is also even worse. If you trail off draymond, he'll get the pass, drive into the lane, and then either dunk or pass to Iguodala who will then dunk. Dread it, run from it, the Warriors offense still gets an open look all the same. Loved the KD rant at the start too. My only wish was that he had fully leaned into the villain narrative.

[@jacobvalenzuela6714]

1st reply and yes I agree

[@Sijan.G]

Yeah kd choked fr moving to brooklyn smh

[@jonofong3084]

Damn did not expect to see a Hermitcraft x NBA collab today. What a time to be alive

[@emmanuelmondesir1314]

KD would be loved if he just accepted his role. How you win TWO finals MVP, is CLEARLY the best scorer in the world yet still feels unloved? The boy too sensitive.

[@parkerjd7198]

Rooting for you in MCC

[@iMacxXuserXx485]

What I'll say about Klay is that you never want to see him have any space to shoot, and he was routinely getting open 3's on this team because of the two superstars drawing the attention. If you're giving up open 3's to Klay Thompson you know you're screwed.

[@C999SP]

And the two superstars are casually one of the greatest scorers ever in KD and the greatest shooter of all time Steph Curry, Klay was having open buffets every night 💀

[@javigar133]

Duh, you can leave anyone open, obviously not a 40% shooter. what a stupid comment dude, casual fanboy

[@javigar133]

@@C999SP the greatest, the greatest... Fanboy

[@jacobvalenzuela6714]

?

[@DEClimax]

@@javigar133 what?

[@musicandmagic909]

The Warriors had 3 guys who had the talent to be All-Stars, as well as the temperament to be team players. You can talk about 3's, analytics, and "changing the game" all you want, but they embraced the oldest adage in sports - teamwork - and rode it to immortality. Also, big shout out to Steve Kerr. Man has 5 rings as a player under Phil Jackson and Popovich (so he definitely sat under the learning tree), a league record for accuracy, and he's a championship coach. I doubt he ever imagined in his wildest dreams getting there as a scrawny spot up bench player. Follow your dreams and never give up, even if Michael Jordan punches you in the face.

[@steelwall4396]

4 all-stars Draymond was a DPOY caliber defender and one of the best passers in the league

[@trunksthebadass]

worst thing mike ever did to steve was make him name his kid nick

[@TheNamesDitto]

*had the talent to have 2 MVPs, 3 All-NBA players and 4-All Stars

[@t-god2439]

I’m guessing the rockets gm didn’t see it that way 🤣 his answer just shoot more 3s

[@3nim3nimabl3]

@@t-god2439 which worked until CP3 got hurt

[@tbow13gbr22]

I feel like not enough people recognize how perfect Klay Thompson is as that #2/#3 guy. Name one superstar in NBA history who he doesn’t compliment. He never needs to have the ball in his hand to find good shots, he never seems to complain or demand more touches, he’s a great defensive wing, and to top it all off, he’s more than capable of going for 30+. You can’t leave the man open under any circumstance. Imagine him playing next to LeBron or Jordan, these guys that constantly command the attention of all five defenders. You take your eye off Klay for even a second to focus on one of those guys, and boom, he’s found an open space. There are plenty of guys in the NBA who are better than him, and he’d never be the #1 guy on a legitimate contender, but he is without a doubt the most perfect wingman you could ask for

[@amari5850]

I don’t know about Klay being unable to be a #1 guy. If you’re able to score 37 points in a quarter no matter who you are you can be a number 1 guy. It only takes 3 shots in a row and you know he isn’t missing.

[@tbow13gbr22]

@@amari5850 he doesn’t create his own offense, which is basically the number one requirement for being the #1 guy on a championship team

[@AT-qu2bz]

and he's CLUTCH

[@jamarreid1082]

@@amari5850 he can't. And those outbursts are just that, outbursts. For evidence, he's played a bunch of games without curry, 40-59. He's a great #2/#3 like the original comment states.

[@westbrook0853]

Tbh if you try to make the best team with any player any generation, why not put Klay on there. Too many ball dominant great players.

[@sandoncrowder7839]

Even before they added Durant, their offense flowed so smoothly they were able to get an open look half the time and at least a good look the other half, the reason they were so successful is that they never ever forced things. They just took what the defense gave them, like watching a masterful boxer that knows how to wait for their opponents mistakes and capitalize. You see flashes of it when a team is having a great night, but the warriors came out and did that every single night, like watching a globetrotters game. And they still have another chance to get back to where they were after all the injuries, their offense still flows.

[@BlueHundred1]

And its still great today. Even with klay out, the Warriors are looking elite this season. It's more because of their fantastic defense but their offense is still beautiful and free flowing and generating great looks. They have so many options on their plays

[@tonyguillen3224]

They're actually title contenders right now And favorites indeed

[@tariqyee3187]

This team singlehandedly almost made me quit watching basketball because of how good they were. I almost never expected any team to beat them. Love the respect they're getting now that the sting of KD's decision is slowly leaving

[@KingTater]

Everyone hated the 2017 warriors😂 how could you not

[@DEClimax]

@@KingTater I didn't hate them! at the time, I didn't watch basketball and lived around sacramento, a city without a basketball team, which might explain why.

[@lunar1157]

@@DEClimax haha, amazing

[@alexpottratz3028]

@@DEClimax ooof for all the kings fans… oh wait what kings fans

[@kaz7690]

They were the ultimate definition of "You hate them because they are so good". Outside of Draymond and KD, there was no other rational reason you could hate on them because they had winning mentalities and humble personalities off the court. Also not to mention the fact that most of them were homegrown and not a superteam created from a bunch of random free agents.

[@jordaniscancelled3327]

This warriors team ruined competitive basketball for 2 seasons. That’s why they deserve to be in the conversation.

[@felipebrunetta2106]

It felt like three really, 'till the finals in 2019 everybody was feeling the same they were during 17/18

[@prajwalkrishnabhat5539]

@@felipebrunetta2106 yep. It was truly a monopoly that could only be defeated by fate and bad luck.

[@thedarklord8770]

They did not ruin anything the second year, they lost 2 games to the clippers and almost lost the series against the rockets.

[@jordandwiggins1026]

@@thedarklord8770 Ehhh I dont think many people seriously thought either the Clippers or Rockets would actually be able to beat them though. They were still overwhelming favorites that year, I mean they swept Lebron, that’s not an easy thing to do.

[@PredatorBunny]

@@jordandwiggins1026 the rockets were also built SPECIFICALLY to beat this team. So it kind of makes sense as to why they had a better series than the Cavs did. The Cavs were built to win with Bron, the rockets were built to beat the warriors and they still couldn’t do it

[@hristijanzdravkovski5970]

The Warriors broke the sport of basketball period. This team was soo good that only 2 other teams in the entire 30 team league did not tank and held on for KD to leave.

[@javigar133]

Broke the sport of basketball? Do you hear yourself? It was the weakest era of basketball! The following year CP3 was injured. Dummies!!!

[@lik7953]

@@javigar133 it was the weakest era of basketball because of how good the warriors were…. They made everyone look bad

[@hristijanzdravkovski5970]

@@javigar133 nobody talks about the folowing year here, 2017 is the year and yes it was a weak era of basketball because the warriors literally broke the NBA by being simply the most talented team ever built.

[@romalestat]

@@javigar133 Dafuk were you watching?

[@markleojagong7413]

@@javigar133 don't spend your life hating bro. It is not healthy. try to be appreciative :)

[@buffalosoldier7360]

Born and raised in “the city”, 30 yrs workin’ in “the city” I’ve been a dubs fan a long time. Steph built the dubs, Chase Center is the house Steph built. Steph found an old beat up bus, fixed it up, put it on the road and drove it around the world picking up Klay and then Dray along the way and we had a good ole time. KD saw the shiny new bud and asked if he could come on board and drive for awhile and Steph said sure, have a seat. Steph doesn’t mind sharing. After awhile KD got off the bus and Steph wished him well. Then the bus continued on it’s way to today. Night night…

[@joelmaiato4302]

Underated comment 🔥

[@johndotcue]

Very accurate haha

[@abhijithashok2564]

And what happned this year?? U run out of gas ??

[@PIEMAN106]

I remember you saying something in the video on the 71 Bucks, "Dominance is boring." It was boring as someone who loves close games and the unpredictable nature of sports to exist through the Kevin Durant Warriors. But it was basketball to near-perfection. If you had to construct an all-time starting 5 to play against another all-time starting 5, you'd probably end up creating the 17 Warriors. It felt insurmountable and all the more disappointing to see it end to injury that cost us a year of Steph, 2 years of Klay, and a season and change of Durant. The team was so good, the basketball gods smited them.

[@Goldengamer444]

Karma caught up 4 all the luck they had prior years

[@PIEMAN106]

@@Goldengamer444 I wouldn't even call it luck (outside the 0-27 game). Almost like a deal with the devil was made and it was time to pay up

[@benjaminan1183]

My all time starting 5 just has KD & Curry.

[@PredatorBunny]

People don’t realize that on an all time starting 5, Klay is arguably the best piece of any puzzle. You can throw out all the big names but you’ve gotta get everyone shots or it’s too much one on one. Put Klay next to anybody and he’s going to get points. For simplicity sake say you’ve got Curry, Klay, Durant vs Magic, Jordan, Bron. Klay might not be the best defender but those guys are gonna be moving around so much and if jordan slips for half a second or a switch come, Klay is cooking them. Whereas on the other side all those guys are kind of going 1 on 1 or 1 on 1 to make a play for someone else. Klay just makes everyone’s life easier on both ends of the court

[@javigar133]

Basketball gods? You mean injuries?

[@Jab2206]

It’s crazy how the only playoff loss they had in 2017 was due to probably the best team offensive finals performance ever

[@mahitanmandez1284]

And also they already led 3-0 and wanted to lift the championship at home, so they didn't even play that serious in that game

[@Madvillainy48]

This team's defense was underrated. KD, Draymond, Klay, Iggy, and even McGee smothered teams in the playoffs. This was also KD's prime defensively.

[@razkable]

They could go klay iggy dray kd and mcgee and defend anyone...scoring on that 5 man lineup for stretches was hell

[@dayofayanju9021]

This was peak Kevin Durant

[@alasdairmacdonald9838]

This one felt a little different which given how long you spend on producing these I don't blame you for changing the script up a little, fantastic work as always. It was a real shame about the injuries, this team was so good they deserved to make the statement of a 3 peat.

[@cracknigr6065]

And instead they got Thompson and Durant both 2 years out and Curry 3/4 or somthing like that. It felt like the deal with the devil had to be paid up. It was insane

[@SM-vx6zq]

The 2016 team nearly has a case for being the best team, so adding KD makes them the GOAT team for sure. No one or no Wes could compete with their spacing, teamwork and defense. No other team had fans complain that the team was too stacked and had to be broken up like them

[@Shiyaku93]

When I first moved to Canada it was during the 2016 playoffs with the Warriors vs. Cavs, this is what got me into basketball. The Warriors played amazing, exciting ball for someone who had never watched a full game before and they will always be special to me and remind me of that time in my life. I love the vids man, keep up the great work!

[@CiabanItReal]

And then Toronto had to ruin it and deny them the 3 peat :P

[@wonderbread7327]

@@CiabanItReal if the Draymond wasn’t wrongly suspended in 2016 the Warriors would have won 4 in a row and the Cavs would be the Buffalos Bills of basketball

[@CiabanItReal]

@@wonderbread7327 Wrongly suspended? He kept punching dudes in the nuts, and he was doing it all playoff long. Also, if they don't lose those finals, they might not have to bother to go after KD. KD almost ended up on the clippers, and we would be watching a video about the 2017 Clippers staring KD, CP3, Blake, and DeAndre.

[@jodlaa5142]

@@wonderbread7327 nah also kd said that if gsw had won in 2016 he wouldn't have joined them so that's a huuuge what if

[@snakexpert552]

Looking back it is truly incredible what this team was capable of. They had almost no weakness and their revolutionary offense would be unfair against any of the other greatest teams of all time. They won 67 games with KD missing 20 games and not even trying to chase wins like the previous season, and just crushed EVERYONE when Klay wasn't even good in the playoffs.

[@Archie583]

I loved this take on the '17 GSW team. Not only did you describe the team and the individuals who made up the team perfectly, you also told the story of why so many people didn't like this season of basketball. That may not seem like a very big deal to people watching this today, but 10 or 20 years from now, it will be an important part of narrative. A team need not be popular to be regarded as the best team to ever win a championship. Well done!

[@aarunbhattacharya5453]

Imo in terms of pure basketball ability, no team ever is beating the 2017 warriors, and its hardly close. Other teams might appear better due to their context but this team was unmatched in an era with more competition than any other.

[@kungfukid8337]

Good point, I think it gets overlooked and thought of as not true, that it’s just harder to win consistently these days. If u wanna be a goat u sorta need accolades but u just can’t replicate the dominance of old teams today for many reasons. This team was as good any if not better if they couldn’t replicate some of the other goat teams success. that should tell it’s not as easy as be the best team and you’ll win 6 rings together. I don’t think we’ll have many if any players or teams that can win 5 five chips in the modern era..those days are gone.

[@josepharmstrong1531]

The scary thing is, the 2017 Cavs would probably sweep most Finals teams. Its just that in this season, they had no realistic shot.

[@guilhermevieira6010]

More competition than any other? How? The 80s were by far the most competitive era

[@aarunbhattacharya5453]

@@guilhermevieira6010 By competitive I mean basketball's popularity from the 80's till today has increased dramatically. Basketball is a global sport now something it was not in the 80's, with 425 million players globally obviously the best players are going to be better and the best teams are going to be better. That's excluding factors such as lifestyle and nutrition which would only further add to the disparity.

[@guilhermevieira6010]

@@aarunbhattacharya5453 if today had the same rules of the 80s you'd be right

[@saulgoodman8788]

even if people say KD did a weak move, nobody can take away their rings and the legacy they made. this is a legendary team no doubt, and absolutely the best team in NBA history

[@ja4309]

Furthermore, I think it actually helped his game. He still makes some back cuts like his time on the Warriors and has put effort defensively until now

[@michaelterrell2108]

1996 Chicago Bulls 2017 Golden State Warriors These are the best teams ever in the NBA imo.

[@pacedeli24]

@@michaelterrell2108 period bro

[@clover7726]

@@michaelterrell2108 I think the 2014 Spurs are top 2, then 96 Bulls top 3.

[@ghostflame9211]

That’s what I’m saying. Like yeah no one outside of golden state was excited about KD joining the warriors, but he got his rings so does he even care? Would’ve been an Easy 3 peat if he and klay don’t go down in the 2019 finals.

[@MrPlow-jc4cr]

"Imagine if Moses Malone joined the Celtics" It's kind of funny you mention Moses considering him joining the Sixers is the most obvious parallel to KD joining the Warriors. A MVP-level player joining forces with another MVP-level player (+ a HoFer-loaded roster) that had lost the Finals the year before - and then went to obliterate their competition in the reg season and with an X-1 title run.

[@Navvye]

yes but it wasnt nearly as uneven lmao.

[@MrPlow-jc4cr]

@@Navvye Shrug. The level of average talent was significantly lower than it is today, and Moses gave that roster a total of 4 HoFers + a routine AllStar in Andrew Tony - doesn't sound like a particularly even league to me. And given that the Sixers proceeded to annihilatw everyone + sweep the very Laker team that beat them in the Finals before...I think you see where I'm going here.

[@razkable]

More like if magic joined the 83-84 title winning boston celtics so they had him start instead of ainge...magic bird mchale with a younger dj who was the 79 finals mvp and a younger parish and off the bench joining 6th man ainge and 8th man scott wedman is 81 finals mvp cedric maxwell as their 7th man...lol game over.....they would never lose

[@razkable]

@@Navvye yeah they didn't have a draymond

[@muizmin]

"If hakeem joined bulls" Damn...no people would say the bulls weakness is big man anymore

[@piusherbert]

I really loved the last note where you just added what you wanted to point out most, what your message was supposed to be and gave it that little touch which got me over to the "2017 warriors goat" side. (This will be a heck of a fan comment so if you dont wanna read all this just know Clayton is great and makes *the* best basketball videos on youtube

[@javigar133]

Crickets, too long... Boooooring

[@brianlara6451]

Too bad lbj isn’t the 🐐 tho. The video is good as are all this channels videos I agree

[@The-ts9yv]

You can’t constantly complain about how unfairly good this team was then claim that they weren’t one of the greatest teams to ever play.

[@Bingo55]

believe it or not this video is about why they ARE the greatest team ever you buffoon

[@jordandwiggins1026]

@@Bingo55 Obviously he was referring to other people who say that ya dingus. He’s talking about the haters who don’t give this team the credit they deserve. Wow this comment flew so far over your head it’s up in the stratosphere.

[@razkable]

They were soft inside but no one could take advantage....a team with a dominant center like shaq with a wing like kobe or wade or a duo of great big man like hakeem sampson or a team with 2 very good ones combined and a third solid one or 4 good ones like mchale parish maxwell or walton or kareem with either mcadoo rambis maybe wilkes a hair of kupchak or a.c. and mychal plus rambis and billy to help old 87 kareem out so 5 big man into total type teams could give them issues...

[@ubadman1]

@@razkable this argument really doesnt have legs. having a big center vs them isnt gonna amount to much. whats that center doing on defense? hes not goona help you stop the barrage or pace they play at. and in short bursts green has shown he can be more than serviceable vs bigs.

[@roomba1813]

@@razkable 2022 warriors are literally proof that a dominant big can't take advantage of a team like them

[@orando191]

Great Teams that deserve mentioning: 2006-2007 Spurs (2nd Def 5th Off 1st Net RTGs, 58-24 record, 16-4 Playoffs) (Beating Melo Nugget's, Nash/Stoudemire Suns, C.Boozer's Jazz, Lebron's Cavs) Team's key players: T.Duncan/M.Ginobili/T.Parker/B.Bowen Main (+) Complete Team + Best Coach 1982-1983 76ers (5th Def 5th Off 1st Net RTGs, 65-17 record, 12-1 Playoffs) (Beating B.King/B.Cartwright Knicks, M.Johnson/S.Moncrief Bucks, Magic/Kareem Lakers) Team's key players: M.Malone/J.Erving/M.Cheeks/Toney Main (+) Dominant Duo 1972-1973 Knicks (4th Def 3rd Off 4th Net RTGs, 57-25 record, 12-4 Playoffs) (Beating E.Hayes/W.Unseld Bullets, Havlicek/Dave Cowens Celtics, Wilt/J.West Lakers) Team's key players: (Walt Frazier, DeBusschere, W.Reed, B.Bradley) Main (+) Underdog's who beat both Celtics and Lakers Favourites 2015-2016 Cavaliers (3rd Off RTGs, 57-25 record, 16-5 Playoffs (Beating Drummond Pistons, Millsap/A.Horford Hawks, Derozan/Lowry Raptors, Curry/Thompson Warriors) Team's key players: Lebron, Love, Kyrie, Jr Smith Main (+) Beat 73-9 Warriors

[@ThePartarar]

That “fuсk off” monologue was sick, love your writing dawg

[@N54B30BMW]

I am a simple man: I see a new „making the case“-video I instantly click watch and like. Clayton does a great job!! 👍

[@Supremely_Based_Takes]

The best part about curry (besides his obvious skills) is his demeanour. For ex: Jordan led his team like a tyrant, he used anger to motivate his team and himself to win championship, it worked but no one seemed to be having fun during each game except Rodman because he’s Rodman lol. But Watching the Warriors play is so different then most other teams cuz they are always enjoying themselves, like kids just enjoying to playing the games, and it all stems from Curry’s demeanour. That’s why a lot of fresh blood will thrive in that organization. That’s why the warriors are such a unique team, they are just having fun all the time. The only other team the seems to have lots of fun is the Timberwolves wit Morrant. I think that organization will be a championship contender in the near future cuz of that fun dynamic. What do you guys think??? Oh by the way, great video, keep it up!!!!

[@nathdog1992]

The one thing I'll never understand is how you've not been hired to make these videos for television they're so good. Cheers for making them!

[@Simpletonwithadog]

As a diehard warriors fan that grew up in the bay area my whole life, all I can say is thank you.

[@simplifiedstuff2135]

This was Warrior team was equivalent to Barcelona's 2010-2012 football/soccer team. The single most stacked football team in history playing the highest level of football ever seen.

[@seanconnathon]

What's the goal of basketball youtube? New Clayton Crowley vids, lmao.

[@laurocoman]

16:17 the personalities overlapping and locking like this is spot on. Curry and Klay used to be too quiet, they could lead by performing, but you needed someone to push people forward loudly with some direct orders and Draymond was that guy. The chemistry in this team had all to do with the skillsets fitting with the best kind of personalities for those skillsets.

[@fightactionnow]

So true. I've never seen a team with such aura of invincibility (and I did see the powerful Lakers and Bulls teams) and also play such beautiful basketball on both sides of the court. It really showed the full potential of how the game could be played. It was just amazing.

[@HayabusaRyu]

I've been a Dubs fan for half my life and this team will forever be my favorite team. Steph and KD are my two favorite players and being able to watch them play together was one of the most fun times I had being a Warrior fan.

[@FireCaptain01]

The warriors changed the game forever. Greatest team of all time

[@user-sd2gv8vz8f]

best* greatest team is still the 96 bulls. best ≠ greatest

[@510island]

As a Warriors fan who has spent their life living minutes away from Oracle Arena, I can tell you those couple weeks from when we lost game 7 to when we signed KD were HELL. We lost game 7 by 4 points while missing a starter (former #1 overall pick Andrew Bogut) and we were traumatized after coming that close and blowing it. We didn't need KD to win, we needed him to heal our pain and embarrassment.

[@Simply_DJay]

A 73 win team added an unarguable top-20 player of all time.

[@dopexunli5252]

Insane vid man 😁 it's crazy to think how unstoppable this team was. like MJ, Bron, kobe and Kareem this team is untouchable. This team has no weakness the only thing that can stop this team is injuries

[@brianorourke41]

I think it’s a testament to how good your videos are that I started to skip through the NordVPN ad and then thought “Clayton will find a way to make this entertaining” and went back and watched it

[@chozenboi]

The 2017 Warriors are without a doubt the greatest team of all time

[@razkable]

It's like if you put 2014 kawhi 2011 bosh 2012 wade and 2013 lebron together...the d would be insane and the offense would be unfair...

[@Equalshares]

MJ just took this comment personally .

[@sedmark6328]

I still think the best part was how much fun they had. It was a joy to watch.

[@____2080_____]

Much to the anger of the teams of the 90s, the Kobe and Shaq fans and even teams of the 80s, 70s and the era of wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell, These Golden State Warriors are the best team of all time. I am the biggest Wilt Chamberlain fan one can find. But, like was proven throughout his career, even his nearly invincible 1972 team might not be able to handle 2017 State. Of course, we have to put a caveat in to determine the rules we’re using. Those things do matter and I don’t think that hand check era basketball 🏀 Would be helpless against this but, I wouldn’t be the least surprise if they wiped the floor of whatever team you think or believed was the best of all time

[@badcomment6353]

The diffy between the 2017 Warriors and any other greatest team on any list is that with the other teams their greatness unravelled during the season and playoffs and ultimately concluded with the championship. The moment KD joined in the offseason we just waited for June to officially crown them as one (or even THE) of the greatest team of all-time. And that bred resentment from everyone outside of the Bay Area

[@MultiPhatboy]

When Jordan retired from the bulls, I stopped watching NBA. Even when he came back to play with the wizards I never watched a game because in my heart I knew the MJ I knew growing up with the bulls was never going to be the same. As much as people hate the warriors, They were the ones that brought me back to the NBA. thanks dub nation

[@leeviikonen3590]

Reminds me of watching prime Barcelona in football (soccer). I hated them too much to really appreciate how insanely good they were.

[@anguswilliams8170]

Watching what they did to my man United team in 2011 final was truly a work of art but man did I hate them

[@leeviikonen3590]

@@anguswilliams8170 As an Arsenal supporter, that was probably the only time I actually supported them ha ha. Also, that was before they'd already won everything possible.

[@leftbenchplayaa]

bro i can’t wait to tell my kids about this team someday. how i used to watch them everytime they played. how i got to watch them live at oracle. how dominant they were.

[@noname-jd2vo]

I wish I got to watch them live 😢

[@sirris4330]

truly great stuff clayton. just great video making wont even argue about the details. thats for another time.

[@natec4743]

After watching all these videos, I now have a greater appreciation for some older teams, especially the teams from the 70s I knew nothing about. But in the end, it's still between the Bulls and the Warriors for me, and I'll keep going back and forth between them depending on my mood haha. PS looking forward to your next project Clayton, u da GOAT!!

[@JG124_]

One under appreciated thing about this team and what says a lot about the Warriors coaching and front office is just how well they were able to mesh with so much talent. They had some bad moments, but for the most part ego flare ups were rare. And they really managed get the most out of all their star players despite the fact that they obviously all had to change their roles to accommodate such talented teammates. Whereas we're seeing now with the Nets and the Lakers, and other similar teams in the past, like you can't just throw a bunch of talent at a team and expect it to always pan out. Basketball is a team sport, so just because you have a lot of good individual players doesn't always translate to wins. These Warriors teams on the other hand, they were so cohesive. They played more like a team than arguably any other team in NBA history. Which is surprisingly difficult to do when everyone is a star and everyone wants to be "the guy" on the team.

[@DTrain5742]

I've been waiting for this video. In my mind there's absolutely no doubt that this is the greatest basketball team of all time.

[@jpmnky]

If they could’ve won that Game 7 in 2016, they’d be a pretty good argument for greatness dynasty ever. That is the closest most of us will ever see a team get a four peat. And it’s been twenty years since the last three peat team. And with the parity currently in the NBA right now, there won’t be another for quite some time.

[@Alistair_McCullom]

I know the video sort of touches on this point but I would say the negative bias many people have for the warriors team plays into how they are the best ever team. The dislike is not from their style of play like the bad boy pistons, but it is because they are so much BETTER than everyone else. No one really cares that Dwight Howard joined the lakers team that beat him because they were a disaster.

[@allenfoss9909]

Another point of context about the kd thing tho is that he asked okc for shooters for the last couple years he was there and they didn’t provide idk if it was winning and ring hunting or if it was just the team fit he was looking for

[@nicolasmeyer282]

damn i really wish i had gotten more interested in basketball just a couple years earlier and could have enjoyed them whilst they dominated and not being baffled by how amazing they were.. still just by watching clips they seem like they were amazing and so was your video on them. thank you

[@ja4309]

Oh you couldn't imagine man. As a fan of the Warriors, it's basically heaven but for the 29 other teams, it was hell. To think that was all 4 years ago

[@noname-jd2vo]

Easily the best and the most beautiful basketball ever played for 2.5 years.

[@sedmark6328]

Sorry, not sorry. They did what they had to do to win. This is what made me start watching basketball for real. These are my boys, and they did nothing wrong.

[@bernardoestrela6029]

The best backcourt partner for the best shooter ever is the 2nd best ever and that's what he got. Klay stays underrated. Throw stats if you want, but I've seen klay do things that are unmatched

[@alitroncoso4856]

Damn Clayton, I’m a Knicks fan and you’re making me cry with that Curry monologue 🥺🥺

[@Ablackguy]

Imagine if kd pushed his ego aside and stayed on the warriors they would win the next 3 or 4 chips and completely own the west

[@md742]

The algorithm brought me here. The flow of your script is beautiful and your honesty, refreshing. You’ve scored a sub from me.

[@ALV5252]

That Draymond Green section gave me goosebumps. Dang.

[@razkable]

Draymond seperates them

[@filipbabovic5914]

The intro still gives me chills man chills!

[@groverrogers6916]

Mr. Crowley, you're work is awesome. I wish you made the case for Hakeem and/or the 94/95 rockets

[@sportsnerd100]

They were a 6 seed. Theyre not the greatest team ever

[@joseluiiiis]

I think this is the best basketball video I've ever seen... OH MY GOD YOU ARE GOOD GIVE ME THAT MID VIDEO AD AND GET THAT BAG CLAYTON

[@UTNatlChamps]

For my money, this team is the greatest. They could have broken the wins record if they wanted, but it wasn’t important. They showed how dominant they were in the postseason. It was completely unfair how talented they were, and then they also played an extremely efficient and pretty form of basketball. I hated this team so much and my interest in the NBA has never really recovered, but I can’t deny how absolutely amazing they were. I don’t think we’ll ever see a team this good ever again, or even one that comes all that close.

[@grakkerful]

I never got the hate. Respect for that Warrior office for putting together such a power house.

[@Lavitz2011]

Greatest team of all time; a team with 2 Prime MVPs (The greatest shooter of all time and an arguable best scorer of all time), a prime DPOY winner (who claims to be the best defender of all time), the arguable second best shooter of all time, an elite defensive-playmaking sixth man, a do-it-all lanky point guard, a reliable post to midrange option who can pass, some shooters and big and the arguable best weapon in NBA History (Zaza Pachulia; note: Kawhi Leonard) playing in a system employed by an innovative basketball mind which led most of this team to 73 wins the prior season. Doesn't get any better than that, especially considering the amount of "-of all time" I used.

[@javigar133]

Stop watching First Take, you sound you have no brain

[@michaelmurphy7762]

Great series. When I tell my kids about the 2017 warriors, I’d have to show them this video so they could get the entire story of this team.

[@MageKirby]

Thinking about it, Warriors wasn't hated because they were invincible. They were hated because they weren't the right team to be invincible. Sports fans don't have any problems letting teams/players be invincible if it's the right group. Like you said about superman, Batman has a meme on "Batman with prep time" but no one hates that Batman practically dunks on everyone. If this group of players were in the Lakers or the Celtics like how Messi was in Barcelona and CR7 was in ManU and then Real Madrid, I'm pretty sure they get way less hate. People just salty their team wasn't invincible and instead it was Green Arrow's turn.

[@thedankruss2881]

This was the most fun era of basketball to watch for me as someone who never really cared and especially never watched regular season games. Plus basketball has always had the feeling for me of "I already know who's gonna win the championship" and basically was only proven wrong when the Mavs beat the Heat. This though was so much fun and so beautiful to watch every single game because I fucking loved it. Beautiful basketball, high IQ all around, and just sheer and utter dominance I had never seen before. I loved it unapologetically. And yeah I'm a Warriors fan no surprise of course I was gonna like them. But I had never been in awe and loved basketball as much as when I saw them play. They genuinely made me a fan of basketball and looking into the history of basketball. Honestly I would've never found your channel if it weren't for your Steph video.

[@yaronkaplan3732]

The fact that you didn't even mention Steve Kerr, one of the greatest coaches of all time in his own right, just emphasizes how crazy good this team was.

[@stevebilkos3092]

the quality of your videos are phenomenal and have only gotten better with each upload!

[@scottbrayton9484]

Kevin Durant is the blueprint from which the next generation of basketball superstars are being built

[@iliasVoolgaris]

KD joining the Warriors was the best thing he ever did for himself. Whatever you call him now, at least it's not ringless. Because if he didn't, as every other stop in his career has shown, he would be another "All time great with no titles"

[@Klontruppe]

I openly admit I saw little point to this series because this isn't like the player debate to me where there's lots of room to discuss, to me the greatest team question is clear. The 2017 Warriors are simply the greatest club basketball team ever assembled. I don't see any team that would be good enough to beat them in a seven-game series ever appearing in any of our lifetimes.

[@Flixlim]

The NBA is trending towards these super rosters more and more though. Imagine if the current nets could get healthy for a whole season...

[@Klontruppe]

​@@Flixlim While the ORTG of the Nets with Durant, Irving and Harden is a touch above the 2017 Warriors in the playoffs, their DRTG is noticeably worse. The Nets would probably not get swept against the 2017 Warriors (a feat in and of itself), but I see no way that series goes past 6 either.

[@imspyy]

@@Klontruppe nets could possibly win if 2 of the 2017 warriors finals games were within 9 points with only lebron and irving

[@SwagDaddy761]

1:02 the transition of steph into the intro was too clean 🏌️

[@tarransanders21]

Also, man that sponsored segment was good. The 'even our friends at Facebook are looking a little shady' line got a chuckle from me.

[@xplicithiphop5132]

All due respect to the Bulls, these guys are the greatest team of all time hands down. They literally changed the way the game is played.

[@yroc45cs]

this video is fantastic and im not even done it yet. The way you describe things gives me chills

[@ezrafreeman7729]

I just finished this series with this video. With all due respect to all the other teams in this series, I don't see any of them actually winning a 7-game series against the '17 Warriors (assuming a 3-point line exists). Like CC, I was not a fan of this team, and in fact I mostly stopped paying attention to the NBA for a few years, as the outcome of '17 and '18 was a foregone conclusion before the season even started ('19 too if KD and KT hadn't been injured). I thought it was a weak move by KD to join the team in '16, and I stand by that, even acknowledging that it's his life and his business and he's under no obligation to give a damn what I think. Still, as much as I disliked this version of GSW, you have to give them props for how good they were. I'd love to have seen this team play against one of MJ's 90's teams. Now that would be a series!

[@ayno6891]

this channel is pure gold props to you my man

[@jordandwiggins1026]

Spurs fans rn: We’ve been hoodwinked, bamboozled, lead astray, run amok and flat out deceived!

[@ΚωνσταντίνοςΚολοβός-ζ4χ]

Mannnn damn right. Spurs fan here and I was thinking about that lmao. I hate to say that but... we have been hoodwinked, bamboozled, lead astray, run amok and flat out deceived.

[@ninjamage5215]

I was hoping to see the 2014 team in this series

[@devravi7049]

i used to tune in to watch them win. and they would. it was mad. i loved it. absolutely loved it.

[@wollins7244]

Can say whatever you want about the fairness of this team existing or call KD soft for going, but I think the anger behind this happening shows exactly why this in fact is the best team of all time. We knew before the season started, barring any injuries, the warriors were going to win the title and it wouldn’t be close

[@MrDrBoi]

So excited for this, your content definitely inspires me a lot!

[@TheReelRevolution]

Every single dynasty team in history would get swept by the '17 DUBS.

[@matchress3832]

THE BEST SPORTS SERIES ON KZbin AND IT'S NOT CLOSE. NOBODY NEEDS TO MAKE THE CASE FOR THE BEST BASKETBALL KZbin CHANNEL, CLAYTON IS UNDEFEATED UNDISPUTED

[@hannita5353]

the fact that people think this team ruined the sport alone is enough proof that this is the best basketball team of all time.

[@DaYellowBaller]

literally the first ever basketball channel that I go searching for in case he uploaded a new video

[@cm9241]

To the first major question, I really enjoy loyalty and competitiveness. I get that players want to market themselves as brands and make the max amount of money allowed. It just doesn't make a great long term narrative though, when players constantly move around in hopes of finding the next superteam. It just seems like fairly distributed teams would result in more competitiveness between players, and a more exciting product to sell for the NBA. Stacking the deck starts to make it seem like exhibition rather than true competition. But I don't really know shit about sports

[@qqw743]

It's a fair concern. The thing is, players have always moved. But in the past, it was the wealthy owners with more power who moved them. Now players have relatively more leverage, so it seems as though there is less loyalty and more moving around. What's actually changed is who is stacking the deck. With regard to parity, as you and Clayton referred to, it tends to seem like a good idea in concept but is not the only thing that makes sports fun. Sure, fans of other teams don't like it when one team is dominant, but many fans overall do like it. Sports is not just about watching two teams or two individuals with a roughly equal chance. It's about witnessing greatness. That's what moves fans. Watching any of the teams in Clayton's series gave that feeling, and certainly the 2017 Warriors. Think of Usain Bolt ten strides ahead of anyone in the 200 meters in the Olympics. Would a close race have been more exciting? Probably. But more epic, more legendary, amazing and memorable? Not to me.

[@cm9241]

@@qqw743 No I totally see that side as well, people want to see the most talent they can. Half the draw of professional sports is seeing them performed at the absolute highest level humanly possible. I'm just torn between the two views lol

[@qqw743]

@@cm9241 Me too! Tx.

[@DDRisBEST]

In terms of narrative driven basketball content, clayton truly is the peak

[@fabridelasestrellas]

I was expecting the 2014 spurs, but damn. This warriors Team, was an unstoppable force of nature.

[@Darkgnome]

Steve Kerr has 5 rings on his shooting hand as champion player and 3 ring on his coaching hand which is complementing his 3 point shooting percentage at the same time. Such a cool image.

[@hibachiagent0249]

Have to add the 82-83 76ers, team consistently gets left off lists like this

[@lik7953]

I’m pretty sure he made a video on them

[@bpmolenaar]

Man, always good stuff brother. I lover your work. Keep it up. I share them to everyone who's up for it.