Philippines, 03 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


SECOND OVERTIME: Keeping the faith on these weary Warriors


PhilBoxing.com




CHICAGO -- To those with deep religious roots, faith is the belief in something they don't see. In sports, faith is the belief in something that's already been seen.

Through the course of this immensely challenging season --- a spate of injuries, a renewed threat from the Houston Rockets, internal strife, among other distractions --- my faith that the Golden State Warriors will win another NBA title has never wavered.

I saw them do it thrice in the last four years. I see them doing it again this June, this time in a historic three-peat that hasn't been accomplished since the 2000-02 L.A.Lakers that were headlined by the jarring and sometimes warring duo of Shaq and Kobe.

Which brings us to the ongoing 2019 NBA Finals, a bare knuckled and extremely physical brawl against the relentless Toronto Raptors.

Currently tied at 1-1 heading into Game 3 Thursday morning at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, doubt has once again accompanied these Warriors. And for good reasons.

Kevin Durant, the team's playoffs leading scorer with 34.2 points per, is out with a calf strain. Kevin Looney has been ruled out for the rest of this championship series with a rib injury. Klay Thompson hurt his hamstring late in Game 2. Andre Iguodala is banged up and DeMarcus Cousins is still working to find his sea legs after a long layoff.





Photos: The author chats up with the Warriors core of Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and coach Steve Kerr.

But as the injuries pile up and the pressures rise, I still think Golden State will come out on the bright side. Warts, Kawhi Leonard, and all.

Steph Curry is on a mission and he will not be denied. With Durant reduced as cheerleader, Curry has quietly assumed the leadership mantle to the tune of 27.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per.

Klay Thompson, the other half of the Splash Brothers, has awoken from an early postseason slumber and is hitting 41.1 percent from 3-point range.

Draymond Green continues to be a conveyor belt for triple-doubles, averaging 13.6 points, 9.9 boards and 8.3 dimes an outing.

Andre Iguodala is norming what appears to be a harmless 9.7 points per, but he remains lethal in the clutch, while the reserves have answered when the going rough, especially in that Game 2 where Golden State had to climb out of a 12-point hole.

Another added ace that reinforces my faith upon these Warriors is head coach Steve Kerr.

The 53-year old has come a long way from being a former Bulls reserve to team executive, to TV analyst, and now one of the brightest minds to ever straddle the NBA sidelines.

Playing under both Gregg Popovich and Phil "The Zen Master" Jackson, Kerr has applied his acquired knowledge well, devising winning schemes on both ends of the floor while spectacularly managing the egos of a team loaded with All-Stars and future Hall-of-Fame inductees.

With Kawhi Leonard and a band of fearless Raptors on the other side, the Warriors will be tested. And they will pass with flying colors.

Another June. Another championship.

How sweet it is.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • “Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Moncal, Mag-aso rule Legacy Run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • ‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Former US President Obama will donate Ali gloves to his presidential library
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.