Perhaps the Golden State Warriors' D-League affiliate hasn't produced the type of breakout rotation star that we would all love to see, but nothing speaks to a successful venture better than making consecutive league championship series.

After beating the Rio Grande Valley Vipers by a gaudy score of 147-128 on Monday, the Santa Cruz Warriors have advanced to the 2014 NBA D-League Finals to face the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the 2014 NBA D-League Finals.

Game Date Time TV Game 1 @ Santa Cruz Thursday, April 24 6:30 p.m. CBS SN Game 2 @ Fort Wayne Saturday, April 26 4:30 p.m. CBS SN (airs 7:30 on tape delay) Game 3 @ Fort Wayne Monday, April 28 4 p.m. CBS SN

2014 NBA D-League Finals schedule (click here for more details on the series).

Keith Schlosser of SB Nation's Ridiculous Upside briefly summarized Santa Cruz's path to this point while previewing Monday's game against Rio Grande Valley.

Though the Warriors may have originated as the sixth overall seed in the postseason, such hierarchy often goes out the window when it comes to the playoffs. In fact, having propelled themselves to a higher seed, after previously just hanging on to the final postseason spot earlier in the year, perhaps the momentum is in the Warriors' favor. After all, the squad feels as though there's a statement to make after losing to RGV in The Finals last season...Santa Cruz should be considered no slouch, either. They have plenty of talent from A to Z, and have impressed as of late with the team's ability to keep up with RGV and even take control to slow down the tempo themselves at times.

For a full preview of the Finals series from some national and local perspectives, you can check out Ridiculous Upside's preview podcast from last night.