If there is one team that I predict could beat the Warriors in a seven game series, it’s the same team that did it in June. The Warriors added Kevin Durant this offseason, but Lebron James’ defensive presence and accountability as a triple-threat weapon on offense will limit the production that even a superstar of Durant’s caliber could have. Besides Durant, Golden State has Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, who can heat up in the clutch. But, the Cavaliers have an x-factor on their team — Tristan Thompson — who single handedly changed the 2016 NBA Finals with his effort and domination on the boards, although some may argue that the real game changer was the league’s suspension of Draymond.
Who do the Warriors have in their frontcourt? Draymond is an elite four in this league, but Zaza Pachulia, old David West, and Anderson Varejao will get demolished by Thompson in key hustle plays and second chance opportunities. Let’s not even bring up JaVale McGee because we all know what he is capable of.
If you don’t, watch Shaq’s segment on TNT “Shaqtin a Fool” and you’ll know what I’m referencing. The only reason I think the Warriors are still a better team than the Cavaliers is because they have more offensive firepower than the Cavs have defensive stars. Stopping Kevin Durant and Steph Curry is almost impossible, so limiting them is the only option Cleveland has.
Side note: Shaun Livingston might just be the most underrated player in the NBA.
Toronto Raptors
To pose a threat to the Warriors in the eastern conference, you first have to win the conference. For the Cavs, that’s like signing up for a series with the Warriors on a sheet of paper. That leaves other “contenders” in the east with nowhere to go but the conference finals. But, out of all the teams in the East that can beat the Cavs and potentially take down the Warriors in seven, the Raptors stand out. The Cavs had their own blueprint for beating the Dubs: fall down 3-1, come back from a 3-1 lead, let previous no shows like JR Smith and Kevin Love emerge from the shadows and have Draymond pick up a one game suspension.
The likelihood of that happening again is very low, so a more general blueprint to beating the Warriors would look like this: shoot excellent from three, have excellent two way guards, play four quarters of good free throw shooting, and win the battle on the boards. The Raptors excel in all those areas with the exception of only three-point shooting and free throws as their numbers have been down in both of those areas. DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, however, are definitely in the conversation for the best backcourt duo in the league and Jonas Valanciunas can alter the complexion of a game with his rim protection and consistent effort in rebounding. I’m not saying the Raptors are better than or can beat the Warriors. They have a chance, but a very slim one that involves getting past Cleveland first. That in itself isn’t likely, but if they get past Cleveland, who knows what might happen against Golden State with several matchups in their favor.
Side note: The only three teams that can contend for a spot in the Finals are the Cavs, Raptors and Bulls. The others might as well just start tanking.
The Clippers have regressed with recent losses to the Pistons and Pacers, but at 14-4, Chris Paul and company could give the Warriors a run for their money in the fight for the first seed in the West. Looking at the West there are only three legitimate contenders: the Clippers, the Warriors and the Spurs. With the position the Clippers are in right now, getting that first seed would allow them to avoid the Warriors and Spurs on the way to the conference finals giving the clippers more time to prepare and rest for a potential conference finals matchup with the Warriors. If the two teams do meet in the playoffs, expect nothing less than a hard fought contest every night that comes down to the wire. The Clippers and Warriors have established one of the biggest NBA rivalries and each team has shown an ability to beat the other and stay in every game. It’s unfortunate that they haven’t met in the postseason these past two years.The Warriors, however, have slightly distanced themselves from the Clips in their past few matchups, but the Clippers’ lockdown top five defense this season, solidifies them as a worthy candidate to limit the Warriors’ offensive firepower.
On the offensive side of the ball, the addition of former Warriors big man Marreese Speights gives a Doc Rivers an option to rely on behind DeAndre Jordan. On the Warriors side, losing Speights was a big blow for them making his move to Los Angeles that much more crucial. Everything else about this Clippers team is the same as it was last year— a team that got unlucky because of injuries to Chris Paul and Blake Griffin in the postseason. Now the Clippers are healthy with a top five defense and Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan making a case to be their own big three. They can easily contend with any team in a seven game series and that includes the Warriors. The problem is, they also have a tendency underwhelm like in years past and blow it once again.
Side note: In three of the past four years, the Clippers have gone on to lose a series that they led either 2-0 or 3-1.
San Antonio Spurs
Much like the Clippers, the Spurs are also in contention for the first seed (14-3) in the West. If they can leapfrog the Clippers and Warriors, they’ll be the ones rested and ready by the time the conference finals come around. The Spurs’ success starts and ends with Gregg Popovich. He is by far the best coach in the NBA, his success exemplified by 19 straight playoff appearances. His offensive formula centered around impeccable ball movement and excellent three-point shooting can be exactly what is needed to keep up with the Warriors. Kawhi Leonard is playing at an MVP level and Lamarcus Aldridge delivers efficient shooting and scoring night in and night out. Then adding the production of Pau Gasol and Patty Mills coupled with the veteran leadership of Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker only makes the offense that much more frightening. Jonathan Simmons, the second year player out of Houston, has also showed promise.
The only knock against the Spurs in a matchup with the Warriors is how they will adjust to the pace of the game. Last year, the Spurs demolished teams when they were able to dictate the pace of the game, but when OKC took it to them in the second round, it got ugly. I’m not sure that the Spurs can stick with the Warriors and beat them in four out of seven, but with OKC losing Durant, the Spurs, along with the Clippers, seem like the only teams that can have any chance against the Dubs.
Side note: When we talk about keeping up with the pace of the game, age matters. The Spurs in the last three seasons have had average ages above 31 years old. This year their average age is only 28 years. Just something to think about.
