[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 101 (Monday, June 18, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3984-S3985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
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SENATE RESOLUTION 550--CONGRATULATING THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS FOR
THEIR DOMINANT BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY IN THE 2018 NATIONAL
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION FINALS
Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Ms. Harris) submitted the following
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 550
Whereas, on June 8, 2018, the Golden State Warriors
defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers by a score of 108-85, to win
the 2018 National Basketball Association (referred to in the
preamble as the ``NBA'') Finals in 4 games;
Whereas the Golden State Warriors captured their third
championship in 4 years, and their sixth championship in the
history of the franchise;
Whereas this dominant championship victory of 2018 marks
the first time a professional sports team from the San
Francisco Bay area in California has clinched a back-to-back
championship title in 28 years;
Whereas every single member of the 2017-2018 Golden State
Warriors team contributed to this championship, including
Jordan Bell, Chris Boucher, Quinn Cook, Stephen Curry, Kevin
Durant, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, Damian Jones, Shaun
Livingston, Kevon Looney, Patrick McCaw, JaVale McGee, ZaZa
Pachulia, Klay Thompson, David West, and Nick Young;
Whereas, despite capturing its third championship in 4
years, the Golden State Warriors overcame a grueling NBA
season, in which the team suffered a rash of injuries both
during the season and in the playoff run;
Whereas Kevin Durant was named Most Valuable Player of the
NBA Finals for the second straight year, with 2 signature
performances in Games 3 and 4 of the series, including
scoring 43 points on the road in Cleveland, Ohio in Game 3,
and registering a triple-double performance in Game 4;
Whereas Steph Curry similarly registered signature
performances in the NBA Finals series, in Game 2 when he
scored 33 points to break the NBA Finals record for 3-
pointers in a game, with 9 3-pointers made, and in Game 4
when he scored 37 points, bringing his scoring average to
27.5 points for the series;
Whereas Steve Kerr, Mike Brown, and the entire team of
coaches and staff have been instrumental in developing the
Golden State Warriors' dynamic and record-setting style of
play, and have fostered a positive, selfless team spirit;
Whereas Joe Lacob and Peter Gruber have built one of the
most exciting and high-performing franchises in NBA history;
and
Whereas the dedicated fan base of the Golden State Warriors
has offered unrelenting, passionate support to the team: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) congratulates the Golden State Warriors for winning the
2018 National Basketball Association Championship, a back-to-
back victory after the team's 2017 championship;
(2) recognizes the historic achievements of all the
players, coaches, and staff who contributed to the 2017-2018
season; and
(3) celebrates the pride exhibited by the Golden State
Warriors, including their selfless teamwork and extraordinary
character, joy, determination, and hard-work.
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise to introduce a resolution
recognizing--and commending--the Golden State Warriors for overcoming a
battle-tested season to prevail as the 2017-2018 NBA World Champions.
After going 16 and 5 in the postseason and sweeping the Cleveland
Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, the Warriors have become back-to-back
champions for the first time in franchise history, and have won three
championships in the past four years.
They are now appropriately considered an NBA dynasty, and can easily
lay claim to being the team of this decade. They are also now
recognized as one of the greatest teams ever assembled. And what is
frightening for the rest of the league, is that it appears this team is
far from finished.
[[Page S3985]]
These playoffs helped bring out the best in these Warriors. After a
tough seven game series in the NBA Western Conference Finals against
the Houston Rockets, the team strung together a dominant performance in
the Finals against the Cavaliers. Their brilliant performance in the
finals was marked by just how beautiful this team plays. From the
superstars on the team to the last person on the bench, the team
exhibited dynamic teamwork, selflessness, and infectious joy.
Their on-court style, which I have come to enjoy so much, is a
reflection of the entire organization. I want to commend everyone who
is a part of the organization--the video interns, the training staff,
the owners, the coaches, the players and fans. They all deserve a
tremendous amount of credit for winning again this year with
consistency and class.
Although at times it has appeared too easy for the Warriors, this
season has been anything but easy. It was a season marked by constant
struggle and obstacles. When starters were sidelined due to injury
throughout the season and playoffs, bench players stepped in and
stepped up, revealing, yet again, the team's depth and heart.
And when the Warriors were pushed to the brink of elimination, they
pulled together as a team and strung together two gutsy wins to make it
back to the NBA Finals for the fourth straight year.
It was indeed a grueling season. For four years now, they have been
the ``hunted'' rather than the ``hunter,'' and absorbed the best shots
from teams around the league. When things got tough throughout the
season and the players and coaches could have pointed fingers at each
other, this team never gave in. They kept fighting and fighting until
they made it back to the mountain top, together.
What I am equally proud of about this team is that it has been a
positive force within the Bay Area community since 2012. Over the past
several years, the Warriors Foundation has awarded $6.2 million in
grants to support educational initiatives in Alameda and San Francisco
Counties. The Foundation, along with individual players, have also
refurbished over 70 basketball courts throughout the Bay, creating safe
and beautiful places for our young people to play. They are a team that
not only plays the right way on the court, but they are also a team
that makes the right impact off of the court.
So, to reigning two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant, Steph Curry,
Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Coach Steve Kerr, Coach Brown, Joe
Lacob, Peter Guber, Rick Welts, Bob Myers and all of the players,
coaches, staff, family, friends and fans, I say, thank you.
Thank you for making California proud both on and off the court, and
congratulations on a job well-done for a second year in a row.
The only question now is, ``can you make it three?''
I yield the floor.
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