by Ben Arthur |
The defending champion Golden State Warriors have started the 2015-16 campaign blazing, already displaying mid-season form. They’ve won their five games by an average of 20.8 points. Reigning MVP Stephen Curry has taken his play to all new heights, highlighted by a 53-point explosion on Halloween. Fellow All-Star Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and the rest of the supporting cast haven’t seemed to lose a beat.
But they won’t repeat as world champions in 2015-16.
The Warriors will have a much tougher go-around in the West this season.
The conference is simply a lot stronger. Kevin Durant has returned for the Oklahoma City Thunder after missing most of last season due to a foot injury. The 2014 MVP is looking to make up for lost time. He has averaged just shy of 30 points per game for the Thunder through four games. Durant and All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook have reminded fans that they’re arguably the most dynamic duo in the NBA. They combined for 91 points in a double OT victory over the Orlando Magic on Oct. 30, making them the first tandem to score at least 80 points multiple times since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in 1996. When the Thunder have Durant and Westbrook playing together, healthy and playing at MVP-level, it makes them a favorite to take the West.
The San Antonio Spurs are not to be forgotten about either. Year-in and year-out, they’re known as the team that is too old to seriously compete for a title, but always end up at the top of the Western Conference anyways. Look for them to continue to stay afloat with the addition of All-Star Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge. The continued emergence of Kawhi Leonard as a go-to player make they’re balanced attack all the more dangerous. Leonard has been the best Spur thus far with 21.3 points per game and 9.3 rebounds per game.
The Houston Rockets will be looking to avenge last season’s loss in the Western Conference Finals in 2015-16. Although they have struggled in the first week of the season, being able to bounce back will not be an issue (they proved their resiliency in the playoffs last season by overcoming a 3-1 deficit to beat the Clippers in the West Semis). MVP-runner up James Harden has gotten much needed help in the backcourt with the acquisition of Ty Lawson. Lawson’s career 6.6 assists per game will relieve a lot of the stress off of ‘The Beard’ and allow him to play more off the ball. With a healthy Dwight Howard in the mix as well, don’t be surprised if the Rockets get back to Western Conference Finals in 2016.
If the Warriors somehow manage to make it alive out of the West, they will most likely have another date with the Cleveland Cavaliers. It will be too daunting of a task for the Warriors to overcome the Cavs at full strength. Forward Kevin Love didn’t play in the Finals last season. He has averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds so far in the ‘15-16 campaign and will be a force to be reckoned with once post-season rolls around. The acquisition of Mo Williams is an insurance policy for Kyrie Irving who is still rehabbing a broken left kneecap. Having the former All-Star guard will not only help the Cavs remain atop the Eastern Conference while Irving is hurt, but also give the team much-needed depth at the point guard position. And last, but certainly not least, Lebron James. Whenever you have Mr. James on your team, you give yourself a pretty good chance of winning a championship. He has appeared in each of the last five NBA Finals.
Don’t get me wrong, the Warriors will have another spectacular season. Curry is only 27. Thompson, just 25. The Splash Brothers and rest of the Warrior squad will put up big numbers and win a lot of games. They will be in the running for the title in the many years to come.
But this season, the Warriors just have too many elite contenders to fight through.
Ben Arthur is a Sports Writer for The Beacon. He can be reached by email at arthur17@up.edu or twitter @KingArthur_425
