The Golden State Warriors have been kings of the NBA for the better part of the last four years. Besides one unreal comeback in 2016 by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Warriors have won the NBA title each of the past four years, including the last two. After adding all-star center DeMarcus Cousins this offseason, it seemed like another title was heading to The Bay. However, with the playoffs just around the corner, the Warriors are losing more games than ever before, leaving many people wondering whether the team is still the favorites to win with one of the best rosters of all-time, or if they will crash and burn before they can reach the illustrious three-peat.
Ok, I've seen this story before. It happens quite often in the NBA actually. A talented roster wins a few championships, usually two or three, then run out of gas and most of the time move their separate ways shortly after.
The most recent example of this was the Miami Heat from 2011-2014. With the big three of LeBron, D-Wade, and Chris Bosh, the Heat went to four straight Finals, going 2-2 in those Finals. It was the final series against the Spurs that saw an exhausted Heat team lose in five games, ending their dynasty as LeBron left for Cleveland that summer.
With most of the Warriors core due for free agency this year, the separating part seems imminent considering the Warriors salary cap is just about dried up. With this being the potentially last chance for the Warriors to win another title, are they beginning to see championship fatigue that most NBA dynasty's experience after a few years of constantly playing until June every year?
The team clearly isn't as dominant as they have been in past years. They are still winning, but not in the same fashion they are used to. However, it's not the wins that are concerning, it's the losses and just how bad they are losing. The Warriors currently have more 20 point losses at home this season than in Warriors coach Steve Kerr's career at Golden State. After suffering a 40 point loss to the Mavericks last week at home, I began to question whether or not this Warriors team had the juice to win another championship.
But the thing is, this team has WAY too much talent to lose. If they have a bad night from three of their starters, they still have two all-star caliber players to bail them out. Plus, they have a solid bench that features former all-star players like Andre Iguadola who give great minutes and great production. Rounded out with a solid coach, the Warriors should not lose this year.
So for those of you who put money on the Warriors winning the title this year, don't panic just yet. They are still the best team in this league and will most likely make the Finals, but don't expect this team to go nearly 16-0 in the playoffs as seen in the past. Championship fatigue is the only thing that can stop this roster from winning the illustrious three-peat that the Heat couldn't obtain, and if we know anything about these players, they are winners and only care about winning at the end of the day (mostly). Expect these guys to figure out the locker room issues, fight through the fatigue, and compete for this championship. And if they don't, do not expect to see Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, or DeMarcus Cousin to be in a Warriors uniform next year.
