After three consecutive title bouts with the Cleveland Cavaliers and coming away victorious in two of the three finals, the Golden State Warriors are a modern NBA dynasty.
Scary part is, there’s no telling when the Warriors dynasty will end. A star studded lineup that consists of four all stars players and with three combined MVP’s among them, the Warriors are the best team that’s been assembled.
Just when everyone thought there’s no way they rich could stay rich, the Warriors pulled off a tremendous off-season bringing back each core member of their team a season ago.
Starters
PG – Steph Curry
SG – Klay Thompson
SF – Kevin Durant
PF – Draymond Green
C – Zaza Pauchalia
The talent in the starting five is simply unreal and on paper looks even more daunting. It seems impossible that a team could possess four highly skilled players that are all top 20 guys in the league but that’s exactly what the Warriors have built.
Steph Curry had a terrific finals performance nearly averaging a triple double. A complete bounce back from his previous two finals.
He is joined in the backcourt by Klay Thompson and together they form the greatest shooting back court in league history. Thompson’s elite defensive skills are not as appreciated as it should be.
Draymond Green is the team’s glue guy. Green is a top three defender in the league and his passing ability and his court vision makes an extremely valuable piece in the the Warriors offense.
Zaza Pauchalia does the teams dirty work in the 20 minutes of game action he sees a night. Pachulia job is grab rebounds and set screens to get Curry and Thompson open.
Bench:
PG – Shaun Livingston
SG – Nick Young – signed as a free agent
SG – Patrick McCaw
SF – Andre Igoudala
PF – David West
PF – Jordan Bell – draft pick
PF – Kevon Looney
C – Damian Jones
What makes the Warriors so special and so good is that there bench is one of the better ones in the NBA. The Warriors have capable starters on other teams coming off the bench. The depth allows for them to rest their stars when needed and to regulate starters minutes as they have confidence the bench can stretch a lead.
Shaun Livingston is a steady back up point guard. He uses his height to post up smaller guards and take advantage of a mid range jumper that has become so effective for him.
Nick Young, all jokes aside, is a solid addition to this Warriors bench unit. Young was graded as one of the better three point shooters last season on catch and shoot opportunities.
Patrick McCaw is a promising second year player. McCaw has great range on his three point shot and showed much promise his rookie season. He should be an integral part of the Warriors future.
Andre Iguodala was brought back on a three year deal worth $48 million after rumors he would depart seeking a higher pay day. However, with Durant taking a $10 million pay cut for each of the next two seasons, it freed up the cap space for Iguodala to return. Iguodala is still a good playmaker and a elite defender and is a vital part of the Warriors success.
David West is still a bully in the paint and is still capable of scoring the basketball. West has announced his intentions to retire at the completion of this coming season but is seeking one more ring for what has been a great career.
Jordan Bell, whom the Warriors paid a steep price for acquiring his rights on draft night for $3.5 million, is an elite rebounder and defender. Bell may be starting games at some point for the Warriors this season so do not be surprised if you see this happen.
Analysis:
Not much needs to be said here. The Warriors are the best team in basketball and everyone is simply playing catch up. Every NBA team is trying to assemble a roster to knock them off or blowing their roster up and tanking to the bottom in hopes of contending when the Warriors reign of dominance is over.
Don’t be surprised if Kevin Durant wins league MVP in his second year with the Warriors.
Hey, the Warriors may even shatter their own wins record and go 74-8 for this upcoming year.
