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Utah Jazz Are Biggest Threat To Golden State Warriors In Western Conference

By Justin Rowan

Nov 15, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) and forward Derrick Favors (15) react after defeating the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Jazz defeated the Hawks 97-96. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) and forward Derrick Favors (15) react after defeating the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Jazz defeated the Hawks 97-96. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 2, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) guards Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the first half of game seven of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) guards Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the first half of game seven of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

The Jazz match up with the Warriors better than the rest of the West’s elite

The Warriors are clearly on a tier of their own within the Western Conference. Beyond them, the rest of the Western Conference appears to be in a state of flux.

Outside of the Utah Jazz, the other teams that could be viewed as a threat would be the Los Angeles Clippers and the San Antonio Spurs. Despite the success the Spurs have had over the last few seasons, there are reasons to question their ability to challenge the Warriors.

The duo of Pau Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge appears at first glance to have issues defensively. Neither player provides rim protection and their ability to defend the quickness of the Warriors seems questionable.

Beyond their issues inside, they did not address the lack of a bonafide No. 1 scoring option. While Kawhi Leonard is one of the league’s best players overall, he hasn’t shown the ability to generate enough offense and shoulder the load when things break down in a playoff series.

He may take the next step, but I’m not convinced that’ll be enough for an aging, thin Spurs roster.

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The best argument for a team other than Utah to present a threat to the Warriors would be the Clippers. Last year could have been the break the Clippers needed to make it through to the Conference Finals, especially with Curry missing the first few games of the conference semifinals.

Unfortunately the Clippers’ curse dealt Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and J.J. Redick injuries, allowing the Portland Trail Blazers to advance.

The Clippers were always a team that could force the Warriors to use more traditional sets with Andrew Bogut, due to the problems Griffin and DeAndre Jordan can pose to a defense.

The presence of those two threats, plus the ability to dominate the boards makes the Clippers tough to handle. When you have two elite talents in Griffin and Paul, you have a puncher’s chance against any team.

But while you can make a case for the Clippers as the greatest threat, the lack of depth gives Utah the edge.

Next: Why an upset may need to wait?

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