Joining the 1980 U.S. hockey team, the 1999 U.S. Women’s World Cup soccer squad, and the 2004 Boston Red Sox, the Golden State Warriors are now the fourth team to be recognized as Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year.
According to editor-in-chief Chris Stone, the respected sports publication had been looking for a way to honor Golden State for winning a trio of NBA championships in four years.
“There is something transcendent about the team where the sum of their parts was apparent from the beginning,” Stone said. “What they have built into a dynasty is a function of empirical success. They’re really a generational team. I don’t know if, in my lifetime, there has been a team where the pieces have blended so beautifully together.”
Unlike the “Miracle on Ice” team, the World Cup squad and the Sox, the Warriors are being recognized for what they have done over a period of a time as opposed to a single great year.
The Warriors will receive the award during a ceremony in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
“This is an incredible honor and one that certainly signifies our Strength in Numbers philosophy as a team and organization,” said Warriors general manager Bob Myers. “Our success is due to the contributions of every single player, coach and staff member in our organization; for Sports Illustrated to recognize this unique dynamic is truly special.”
Alexander Ovechkin, Tiger Woods, and LeBron James also received consideration for the annual honor.
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