Last week, the Golden State Warriors delivered an impressive win over the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics and showed us all how an organization can remain near the top of its field.
Despite preseason skepticism, the Warriors reminded the NBA that they’re still a force to be reckoned with. If they continue this momentum, Golden State will contend for a title this season, which would shock most everyone who follows the NBA. But should it?
In the last decade, the Warriors have crafted one of the NBA’s most impressive dynasties, reaching the Finals every year from 2015 to 2019 and securing four championships along the way. Their 2022 championship put them in third place for the most NBA titles, behind the storied Celtics and Lakers. But despite these accomplishments, pundits and fans quickly dismissed their chances to extend the dynasty. Many saw the 2022 championship as their final chapter.
However, Coach Steve Kerr, superstar Stephen Curry, and the Warriors never received that memo. This season, they’re off to a hot start, reigniting fans’ hopes for another title run. And they’re doing it after longtime superstar Klay Thompson bolted for the Dallas Mavericks.
For years, pundits and fans have celebrated the end of dynasties, eager to see successful teams fall and new teams rise. The thrill of an underdog story and the freshness of new faces can make the “end of an era” satisfying. Too many fans and critics were ready to proclaim the end of Michael Jordan’s Bulls, Tom Brady’s Patriots, Derek Jeter’s Yankees, and Coach K’s Blue Devils. Even in the NFL, some are already speculating about how long Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs will be Super Bowl contenders.
But why rush the end of these dynasties? Instead of looking forward to their fall, we should celebrate their resilience and learn from their example. Sustaining excellence—especially at the highest level—is incredibly challenging. Achieving success once is hard enough, but staying on top demands adaptability, commitment, and the ability to face down criticism year after year.
Peter Done, the CEO of global business services specialist Peninsula Group and a member of the Forbes Business Council, understands the difficulty of sustaining success. Celebrating his company’s 40th anniversary last year, Done shared insights on maintaining growth and relevance in an ever-evolving industry.
“I can safely say that remaining relevant and sustaining continued growth isn’t easy. It requires constant vigilance and innovation. The moment you become complacent is the moment you allow competitors to gain an advantage,” Done wrote for Forbes. “The main lesson I’ve learned along the way is that what makes you successful right now won’t always guarantee success over the long term. It’s all about building a sustainable business that’s sturdy enough to survive setbacks and flexible enough to adapt.”
Done’s advice aligns closely with the Warriors’ approach. His keys to long-term success—embracing change, remembering your roots, diversifying, and prioritizing employees—are all qualities the Warriors embody. These principles can sustain success in business, sports, and virtually any field. They help organizations adapt to inevitable changes and challenges, ensuring they don’t rest on past achievements but instead strive for continuous improvement.
Champions like former Alabama Football Coach Nick Saban know that complacency is the enemy. After winning a record-breaking seventh national title, besting the record held by the legendary Bear Bryant, Saban cut short a question about legacy: “I really haven’t thought about that because we’re always looking forward,” Saban told The New York Times about passing Bryant. This forward-thinking approach is vital for any champion who wants to remain competitive.
The Warriors’ outlook mirrors Saban’s. Kerr and his team are not stuck in the past. They’re willing to make changes, experiment with lineups, and adapt their strategies to fit the team they have today. Kerr emphasized this need for flexibility after their recent win over the Celtics, highlighting the team’s commitment and adaptability.
“I’ve got to do what I think is best for our team and, generally speaking, that changes throughout the year in an 82-game season. So we have to be ready to adapt, but I like the commitment that the guys have made,” Kerr told CBS Sports.
In a sports culture that often cheers for the underdog, it’s worth pausing to appreciate dynasties and understand what they teach us. The Golden State Warriors’ continued success isn’t just a feat of athleticism; it’s a model of resilience, adaptability, and continuous improvement. Their journey exemplifies how to sustain excellence in the face of challenges, criticism, and the inevitable changes that come with time.
As the Warriors chase another championship, they remind us that dynasties don’t simply fade away—they evolve, adapt, and redefine what it means to be great. Instead of rushing to count them out, we can look at their example and learn what it takes to stay at the top.