McGee redeemed as Warriors vets Barnes, West win first NBA titles

MANILA, Philippines – While the limelight is focused on Kevin Durant on how he clinched his much-awaited NBA championship and finished the best-of-7 series as Finals MVP, the rest of the Golden State Warriors club is celebrating quietly.

Steph Curry received an ample amount of attention since he was with his two daughters, Riley and Ryan, inside the court. Klay Thompson also had his share of the limelight when social media relived the time when he signed a fan’s toaster.

For an interesting side story, Golden State actually went an outstanding 31-2 win-loss record after Thompson signed the toaster last March. Now, some people are posting memes declaring the toaster the real MVP.

The Warriors went 31-2 after Klay Thompson autographed a toaster.

But the magic was inside them all along. pic.twitter.com/nsNoNZs04B

— SB Nation (@SBNation) June 13, 2017

The Warriors’ championship means redemption from blowing a 3-1 lead last season, but it also means redemption for JaVale McGee, whose career had long been defined by the lampooning he was the target of on Shaquille O’Neal’s “Shaqtin A Fool” segment for years.

Though McGee didn’t play in Game 5 due to coach Steve Kerr’s decision, the former journeyman big man showed he is capable of contributing to the team as he averaged 10.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 13.5 minutes per game in April.

He vastly improved under the care of coach Kerr after he averaged just 5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds with 10.9 minutes of playing time during the 2015-16 season for the Dallas Mavericks.

McGee provided rhythm for the Warriors when the other bigs didn’t have it, leading all first half scorers with 16 points against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.

JaVale. Is. Balling.

He’s got a game high 14 points. @warriors have jumped back on top on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/aWF39DVXUC

— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2017

In an interview with Undefeated in May, McGee shared how he’s thankful to be part of the Warriors squad.

“This has been somewhat of a redemption season. This has been a great opportunity and platform to show what I have and to help this team,” said the 9-year veteran McGee.

The night concluded with McGee reportedly running on a treadmill as his teammated cheered him on.

Though there are still some videos online of him as the butt of Shaq’s jokes, it’s a big relief that finally, McGee can counterattack those with a championship ring on his finger.

Barnes, West also put a ring on it

Aside from McGee, veteran forwards forward Matt Barnes and David West also got to taste what it’s like to be an NBA champion after waiting over 10 years.

Barnes, who was drafted in 2002 by the Memphis Grizzles, played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Lakers, averaged 6.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in his last 10 games in Golden State.

Barnes also remained on the bench during Game 5 as per coach Kerr’s decision.

West, the 18th overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft and a two-time All-Star, spent 11 minutes on the court in Game 5 and converted 4 points to go with 3 rebounds and a block.

Tristian Thompson and David West with the fight then the quick make up make out pic.twitter.com/uxyQ8OA5lh

— Barstool Miami (@BarstoolUMiami) June 13, 2017

West was obviously eager to show how aggressive he was in pursuit of his first ring as he even got in a face-to-face encounter with Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson after West and Kyrie Irving fought for a rebound.

West shoved Irving away before Thompson came up to confront him and JR Smith got into the situation and challenged West as well. The internet will remember that incident for the unintentional lip-to-lip contact between West and Thompson, however.

Though Barnes and West had to wait longer than others like Curry and Thompson, at least they finally got their moment to be called champion. – Rappler.com