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5 Reasons The Golden State Warriors Can Win The NBA Finals This Year

By Ti Windisch

April 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the basketball against Portland Trail Blazers guard Evan Turner (1) during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the basketball against Portland Trail Blazers guard Evan Turner (1) during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) talks to a referee against Cleveland Cavaliers while Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) listens in during game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Cleveland defeats Indiana 119-114. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) talks to a referee against Cleveland Cavaliers while Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) listens in during game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Cleveland defeats Indiana 119-114. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Who Can Step Up?

For the Golden State Warriors to lose in or before the NBA Finals this season, some other team would need to beat them. The Cleveland Cavaliers are up 3-0 in the first round against the Indiana Pacers, but it took a historic comeback in Game 3 for that to happen, and Cleveland’s defense is still problematic.

The Cavaliers having LeBron James makes them the most dangerous challenger, but the Milwaukee Bucks could pose Cleveland a serious threat in the second round. Even if the Cavs do make the NBA Finals, the West has a number of offensive juggernauts that could expose Cleveland’s defensive issues in the NBA Finals.

Golden State is at the forefront of them.

Those Western Conference teams may be good, but which of them are ready to beat the Warriors? The San Antonio Spurs finished the season with the second-best record and have a true star in Kawhi Leonard, but their depth is suspect and there’s no second 2017 All-Star in San Antonio.

The Houston Rockets suffer from the same problem. Houston has the most dangerous offense outside of Golden State, but if the Warriors throw Klay Thompson at James Harden all night, who else on the Rockets can step up when needed?

The Los Angeles Clippers haven’t beaten the Warriors at all this season. The Dubs have the Clippers’ number, and a playoff series between these two teams might not require more than five games, especially now that Blake Griffin is out for the rest of the postseason.

The Utah Jazz could be interesting, but even if Rudy Gobert would be healthy by then, he would be largely neutralized by the Warriors’ lineup of death. Dragging Gobert outside of the paint makes him far less effective of a defender.

There are a few competitive teams in the NBA right now, but it seems like the Warriors are head and shoulders above the competition right now.

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