It has been three years because the Warriors have been within the playoffs — the actual playoffs, not the play-in format they had been relegated to final season.
That alone is a motive for celebration.
There are a lot of questions in regards to the Warriors heading into this postseason and the pursuit of a fourth championship in eight years, however earlier than they're offered, let’s acknowledge what this workforce already has completed.
No, the Warriors didn’t preserve their torrid early-season tempo — they began 11-1 and crested at 41-13, 28 video games over .500 — they usually misplaced their grip on the No. 1 seed within the Western Convention.
However by way of six months of tumult greatest informed by the truth that Steph Curry, Draymond Inexperienced, and Klay Thompson performed solely 11 minutes collectively all season, the Dubs completed with the third-best document within the NBA (53-29) and are a professional championship contender.
So don’t poo-poo the No. 3 seed. This workforce may have gone the route of the Lakers, who regardless of a Corridor of Fame roster led by LeBron James completed 33-49 and out of the playoffs.
Within the dynastic years previous, the Warriors would deal with the primary spherical of the playoffs as a warmup. The workforce’s expertise was so prodigious throughout its run to 5 consecutive NBA Finals that the Warriors would spherical into type in opposition to their first-round opponents.
They won't be afforded the identical grace this time round. The Warriors are rightly favored in opposition to the Denver Nuggets within the seven-game sequence that opens Saturday at house. However they'll should be on their sport from the opening tip. The Warriors’ margin for error this postseason has by no means been smaller in Steve Kerr’s eight seasons as coach.
That’s unhealthy information for a workforce that's solely optimistic — not sure — if Curry (foot sprain) will likely be prepared for Sport 1.
The Nuggets, the No. 6 seed with a document of 48-34, are greater than able to ending the Dubs’ season early, as they current two points that might show troublesome to summit.
The primary is altitude. Sure, these are among the best athletes on this planet, however The Mile Excessive Metropolis has 17 p.c much less oxygen within the air than San Francisco. Adjustment to that setting isn't simple. How lengthy it takes the Warriors to catch their breath might be a major issue within the size of this sequence.
The opposite issue is Nikola Jokic, the 6-foot-11 do-it-all Serbian and the favourite to win a second-straight MVP award. Jokic averaged 27 factors, 14 rebounds and eight assists and added protection to his sport this season.
Regardless of his measurement — he carries 284 kilos on his 6-foot-11 body — he had an efficient subject objective proportion of 62, the second-best mark by a high-volume, 3-point capturing participant within the fashionable historical past of the sport. No. 1? Curry, who had an efficient subject objective proportion of 63 within the season he gained MVP on a unanimous vote.
Jokic, 27, is a singular power on this league. An offensive weapon with out examine. A dead-eye shooter, low-post maestro, and arguably the best passing huge man within the historical past of the NBA.
The Nuggets don’t match up with the Warriors at 4 positions, however at middle, Denver’s benefit is so important, that it's going to unquestionably be the fulcrum of the sequence.
Golden State has struggled with measurement all season. The Warriors have one true middle on the roster — Kevon Looney. Behind him on the depth chart are quite a lot of small-ball choices and Inexperienced.
If Jokic’s impression may be mitigated by that group, the Warriors will advance to the second spherical with ease.
If the MVP has a subject day in opposition to Looney & Co., this might show to be an extended showdown for the Dubs.
In the long run, I count on Golden State to win.
After Denver, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Phoenix Suns loom heavy.
The Grizzlies, the No. 2 seed at 56-26, are younger and brash and proficient. They actually don’t just like the Warriors, who're perceived because the league’s outdated guard. My, the place does the time go?
Particularly, the Grizzlies don’t like Warriors ahead Andre Iguodala, who was traded to Memphis three seasons in the past and refused to play for them. The Grizzlies gamers and town of Memphis haven’t forgotten and they aren't eager to forgive.
Warriors-Grizzlies might be a traditional that goes a full seven video games, with loads of the NBA’s trademark drama to go together with top-flight basketball.
And if the Warriors had been to advance — I’d like their odds there — the Suns would doubtless be subsequent.
Phoenix (64-18) was the most effective workforce within the NBA this 12 months, bar none. I might doubtless favor Phoenix in a seven-game sequence with a visit to the NBA Finals on the road, however the Warriors performed the Suns effectively this season.
This postseason will likely be tight all the best way to the tip. Bear in mind the Giants’ playoff “torture?” I feel it’s about to maneuver down the road.
However the Warriors have a marked benefit ought to these playoffs show to be close-quarter fight: Their core gamers have extra expertise profitable than some other workforce within the subject.
So whereas the Nuggets current issues, the Grizzlies are out to settle outdated scores, and the Suns could be the workforce to beat, the Warriors have Steph, Klay, and Dray.
How are you going to guess in opposition to them?