Oklahoma City Thunder: 2017-18 NBA season preview

Storyline 3: Can this team beat the Warriors?

The Golden State Warriors are a historically good team, with four top-12 players and a team deep with guys more talented than their spot in the rotation. With their core all under 30, this dynasty projects to dominate the league for years to come.

That doesn’t mean opponents are simply going to roll over, and the Oklahoma City Thunder have loudly declared that they are out to beat the Warriors, supposed dynasty or not. Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony have the star power to at least raise the question: Can this team beat the Warriors?

Defensively this team has the pieces, if Westbrook can lock in at a level he has failed to reach consistently in the postseason. Sharing the load could provide more of the energy needed on defense, and around him in George, Andre Roberson and Steven Adams this team has a number of plus defenders.

Offensively the ceiling has been raised by the new additions. The Warriors can match up with anyone, but it’s a tall task to guard George and Anthony while defending Westbrook-Adams pick-and-rolls at the same time. The Thunder offense humming at its best will push the Warriors in ways they were not pushed last season.

In the end this team needs to come together and find its balance well before the postseason rolls around. If that is the case, the pieces are here to provide the league’s best shot at knocking off the Warriors. Likely? No, but possible.