Are the Warriors still the favorites? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Professional

Are the Warriors still the favorites?

Can their legendary roster bring a fourth title in five years to The Bay or will they crack?

15
Are the Warriors still the favorites?

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.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
university
University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

770
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

17 Times "Friends" Accurately Described Life

You can't say that no one told you life was gonna be this way.

91
friends

In the 12 years since it went off the air, "Friends" continues to be adored by millions. The show that gave generations unrealistic expectations about love (or should I say lobsters?) and New York City apartments had a charming cast of characters that everyone could relate to at some point or another. Here are 17 times Ross, Monica, Joey, Chandler, Phoebe and Rachel accurately described life.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Times Aubrey Plaza Described Sophomore Year

"I don't want to do things. I want to do not things."

465
Aubrey Plaza
Flickr Creative Commons

Aubrey Plaza is one of my favorite humans in Hollywood. She's honest, blunt, unapologetic, and hilarious. I just started my sophomore year of college, and found that some of her best moments can accurately describe the start of the school year.

1. When your advisor tells you that you should declare a major soon.

2. Seeing the lost and confused freshmen and remembering that was you a short year ago, and now being grateful you know the ins and outs of the campus.

3. Going to the involvement fair to sign up for more clubs knowing that you are already too involved.

4. When you actually do the reading required for the first class.

5. Seeing your friends for the first time since last semester.

6. When you're already drowning in homework during syllabus week.

7. Realizing you don't have the same excitement for classes as you did as a freshman.

8. Going home and seeing people from high school gets weirder the older you get.

Keep Reading...Show less
graduation

Things you may not realize are different between high school and college:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments