I still get chills thinking about that 2017 NBA Finals. Having followed basketball for over two decades, I've witnessed numerous championship runs, but what the Golden State Warriors accomplished against the Cleveland Cavaliers felt like witnessing basketball evolution in real time. That series wasn't just about winning a title—it was about establishing what I believe to be one of the most dominant postseason performances in modern NBA history. The Warriors finished the playoffs with a staggering 16-1 record, which still blows my mind when I think about it.

When Kevin Durant joined the Warriors in 2016, critics called it unfair, and honestly, I had my doubts about how the chemistry would work. But watching them dismantle opponents throughout the 2017 playoffs proved that sometimes, talent finds a way to coalesce into something truly special. The Cavaliers came into the series with LeBron James playing arguably the best basketball of his career, supported by Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. Cleveland's offense was historically good—they were the first team ever to score at least 120 points in the first three games of the Finals while shooting over 50% from the field. Yet they found themselves down 3-0 because Golden State was simply operating on another plane entirely.

Game 3 particularly stands out in my memory. The Cavs were at home, the crowd was electric, and they built what felt like an insurmountable lead. With under three minutes left, Cleveland was up by six points, and I remember thinking we might finally see some drama in the series. Then KD happened. His transition three-pointer over LeBron with 45 seconds remaining wasn't just a basket—it was a statement. That shot put Golden State up for good and essentially sealed the championship. What many forget is that Durant finished with 31 points that night, but more importantly, he demonstrated why Golden State pursued him so aggressively. In moments that mattered most, he delivered in ways that previous Warriors teams couldn't.

The beauty of that Warriors team wasn't just their offensive firepower—though having four All-NBA caliber players certainly helped. Their defensive versatility allowed them to switch everything, and Draymond Green's ability to guard all five positions created nightmares for opposing offenses. I've always believed championship teams are built on defense, and the 2017 Warriors validated that belief. They held the Cavaliers to under 40% shooting in crucial stretches of Game 5, which ultimately decided the series.

What fascinates me most about that championship run is how it represents what I like to call "the evolution of team building" in the NBA. The Warriors developed their core through the draft—Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green—then added the perfect piece in Durant through free agency. This approach created what analytics experts would describe as the optimal balance of homegrown talent and strategic acquisition. Their ball movement was a thing of beauty, averaging 30.4 assists per game in the regular season, and their spacing revolutionized how teams approach offensive sets even today.

Through years of glory and perseverance, an unrivaled winning tradition was born—and one de Leon isn't ever taking for granted. This phrase resonates deeply with me because it captures the essence of what made that Warriors team special. They weren't just talented; they understood the weight of legacy and the responsibility that comes with chasing greatness. Having covered numerous championship teams throughout my career, I can confidently say that the 2017 Warriors played with a sense of purpose that transcended individual accolades. They were on a mission to cement their place in history, and my goodness, did they ever deliver.

Looking back, some argue that the lack of competition diminished their accomplishment, but I couldn't disagree more. Beating a Cavaliers team that featured arguably the greatest player of all time in LeBron James, along with two other All-Stars, required near-perfect basketball. The Warriors shot 47% from the field and 38% from three-point range throughout the series—numbers that would typically guarantee victory for any team. Yet what made them truly exceptional was their ability to elevate their game when it mattered most. In the fourth quarters of close games, their defensive rating improved by approximately 12 points compared to their regular season average, which is just absurd when you think about it.

The legacy of that 2017 championship continues to influence how teams are constructed today. The emphasis on three-point shooting, positional versatility, and defensive switching all trace back to the blueprint the Warriors perfected. As someone who's studied basketball for years, I find myself still analyzing game tapes from that series, discovering new nuances in their offensive sets and defensive rotations. It was basketball at its most beautiful and most brutal—a relentless machine that ground down opponents through sheer excellence. Five years later, I still haven't seen a team that could have beaten them in a seven-game series, and I doubt we'll see anything like it for quite some time.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.