The Golden State Warriors improved their record to an insane 23-0 following a win over the Indiana Pacers, 131-123, Tuesday night in Indianapolis. The unprecedented winning streak has many in the sports commentary class wondering aloud the following: "Can the Warriors beat the 1995-96 Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls record of 72-10?"
It's an interesting question, which leads to another thought: Is there a team in the league capable of beating the Warriors at all, much less enough teams to rack up 10 defeats? Not without divine inspiration, says one NBA executive.
In an interview with CBS Sports correspondent Jim Rome on December 4, Rome asked Toronto Raptors General Manager Masai Ujiri his thoughts on how to succeed against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. "Pray to God," said Ujiri. At this point in the season, that might be the only way to knock off the reigning NBA Champions who are buzz-sawing their way through the rest of the league.
All joking aside, prayer is a theme that comes up often when discussing the Golden State Warriors. It is well documented that the team's star player, Curry, is a dedicated Christian who speaks of his faith often. He just also happens to be one of the best - if not, the best - shooter in NBA history. However, what is not so well-known is that the Warriors are team made up of Christians, and their shared faith in Jesus has been a key ingredient in the team's undeniable chemistry.
According to a report in the Christian Post, the Warrior's veteran forward and 2014-15 NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala says the Warriors' roster is full of followers of Christ. "(We've) got a team full of believers. We all say God has a way for you and a purpose for you," said Iguodala, after receiving the 2015 NBA Finals MVP. "I want to be just like Steph (Curry) when I grow up - just a God fearing man."
Curry, the regular 2014-15 NBA MVP and currently regarded as the best basketball player in the world is well-known for his faith in Jesus Christ and regularly speaks out publically regarding his beliefs and Christ-centered lifestyle, a lifestyle which is at odds with the modern-day professional athlete. "It doesn't matter where you come from, what you have or don't have, what you lack or what you have too much of," said Curry. "But all you need to have is faith in God, an undying passion for what you do and what you choose to do in this life, and a relentless drive and the will to do whatever it takes to be successful in whatever you put your mind to."
The Warriors didn't just come to Christianity as a team during their success. Word about the team's collective faith began to spread throughout the NBA several years ago. The San Jose Mercury News reported on the Warrior's team-wide Christian faith in 2013 just before the NBA playoffs, at the time only their second playoff appearance since the 1996-97 season.
