Golden State Warriors: 5 keys to repeating in 2017-18

3. Keep the stars as healthy as possible

In the first round of the Western Conference playoffs in April of 2016, Stephen Curry slipped on a stream of sweat during a game against the Houston Rockets. The resulting unnatural movement of his knee resulted in an MCL sprain in his right knee. He would not be the same for the rest of the postseason, one that ultimately ended in a Game 7 Finals loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Last seaso,n Kevin Durant went down on the court in Washington D.C. with what appeared to be a season-ending injury. Although Durant would return and lead the Warriors to their second title in three seasons, and claim Finals MVP in the process, the scare served as a reminder that this team is still at the mercy of injuries just as any other contender is.

The Warriors survived the stretch of games they played with Durant last season, and even with one of their stars out they would most likely be the favorites to win the title. But a Golden State team without Curry, Durant, Klay Thompson or Draymond Green would be vulnerable to the challengers waiting around the league.

The organization already does its best to maximize player health, and a new NBA scheduling emphasis on reducing back-to-backs will help that goal as well. But ultimately this team cannot control the freak accidents that occur to players every season. If one star is lost for the season, this team is vulnerable. If two go down, then suddenly they’re just another team.