Who Won the 2018 NBA Championship? Full Recap and Highlights
I still remember the tension in the air during that 2018 NBA Finals like it was yesterday. As someone who's covered basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed numerous championship runs, but there was something particularly special about the Golden State Warriors' journey to their third title in four years. The way they battled through adversity, especially against a determined Cleveland Cavaliers squad led by LeBron James at his absolute peak, made for one of the most compelling Finals in recent memory.
What made this championship particularly fascinating was how it contrasted with other basketball leagues worldwide. While watching the Finals, I couldn't help but draw parallels to the PBA scene, where June Mar Fajardo was demonstrating similar dominance in his own right. Even with Perez out of the lineup, Fajardo maintained his incredible form that season, ultimately capturing his ninth PBA MVP award. This kind of sustained excellence reminds me of what the Warriors built - that rare combination of individual brilliance within a team framework that just knows how to win when it matters most.
The Warriors' path to the 2018 championship wasn't as straightforward as their 4-0 series sweep might suggest. Each game had its own dramatic narrative. Game 1 featured that unforgettable blunder by JR Smith in the final seconds of regulation, while Game 3 saw Kevin Durant deliver one of his most iconic performances with 43 points on 15-of-23 shooting. I've rewatched that step-back three-pointer over LeBron countless times - it's the kind of moment that defines legacies. The Warriors' offensive efficiency throughout the series was staggering, shooting 51.8% from the field and 39.2% from three-point range while averaging 28.3 assists per game.
What often gets overlooked in discussions about this championship is the defensive adjustments Steve Kerr made after that rocky regular season where they finished 58-24. The Warriors tightened up significantly in the playoffs, holding the Cavaliers to just 102.8 points per game in the Finals after Cleveland had averaged 118.3 points through the Eastern Conference playoffs. Draymond Green's versatility in guarding multiple positions and Andre Iguodala's timely defensive plays, despite dealing with that nagging knee injury, proved crucial. I've always believed championship teams are built on defense, and the 2018 Warriors exemplified this perfectly.
The contrast between the NBA's global spectacle and leagues like the PBA fascinates me. While we were watching Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant execute their beautiful two-man game, basketball fans in the Philippines were witnessing June Mar Fajardo's methodical dominance in the paint. Both represented different approaches to basketball excellence, yet shared that common thread of consistency and championship DNA. Fajardo's ability to maintain his production even with key teammates missing mirrors how the Warriors adapted when key players like Curry missed significant time during the regular season.
Looking back, the 2018 championship represented the culmination of the Warriors' dynasty before the injuries and roster changes that would follow. The way they seamlessly integrated their stars while maintaining their identity was masterful. I've always argued that this version of the Warriors played the most beautiful basketball I've ever seen - their ball movement, spacing, and unselfishness set a new standard for how the game could be played at the highest level. The fact that they swept a Cavaliers team featuring arguably the greatest individual Finals performance we've ever seen from LeBron James, who averaged 34.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 10.0 assists, makes their accomplishment even more impressive.
The legacy of that 2018 team continues to influence how championship contenders are built today. Their small-ball lineups, emphasis on three-point shooting, and positionless basketball have become blueprints for success across the league. Meanwhile, in other basketball cultures like the PBA, we see different models of success built around dominant big men like Fajardo. Both approaches validate multiple paths to championship glory, though I must admit I have a personal preference for the Warriors' style - there's just something magical about watching five players moving in perfect harmony.
As the confetti fell at Quicken Loans Arena that June night, I remember thinking we were witnessing the end of an era. Little did we know how quickly things would change with Durant's departure and the injuries that followed. But for that moment, the Warriors stood alone atop the basketball world, having completed one of the most impressive four-year runs in NBA history. Their 2018 championship serves as a lasting reminder of what's possible when talent, system, and timing converge perfectly. It's the kind of basketball story that keeps analysts like me fascinated year after year, whether we're covering the NBA Finals or following dominant performances from players like June Mar Fajardo halfway across the world.
