2018-19 NBA season: Record predictions for every team

Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors are on top until proven otherwise. The Rockets’ historic offense knocked Golden State off the No. 1 seed pedestal last season, but they’re due for regression in 2019. The Warriors are still intact with DeMarcus Cousins waiting in the wings.

Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, in some order, are the second and third best player in the NBA. Curry’s shooting versatility is unprecedented, while Durant is the league’s premier go-to scorer. Add in arguably the second-best shooter of all-time in Klay Thompson, and the offense is hard to stop.

Draymond Green‘s shooting has fallen off in recent seasons, but he remains an extremely underrated asset on offense. He led the Warriors in assists per game last season and is a deadly playmaker in pick-and-roll situations.

Golden State’s bench isn’t as deep as it once was, but there are still some quality pieces at their disposal. Jordan Bell is an ultra-versatile defender who fits the Warriors’ system. Andre Iguodala is beginning to decline, but still provides ancillary playmaking and perimeter defense on the wing.

Unlike other offensive juggernauts, however, Golden State is elite on both ends. Green might be the NBA’s best individual defender. Durant is a versatile 7-footer who blocks shots and Thompson’s one-on-one defense is something Steve Kerr leans on.

If Cousins gets healthy and returns at some point, that just adds another dynamic to the NBA’s most loaded rotation. If he doesn’t, the ill-effects are minimal. Kevon Looney and Bell are both effective bigs in a playoff setting. The Warriors lock down the top spot.

Final prediction: 60-22, No. 1 seed Western Conference