Many basketball fans and analysts alike are staining the upcoming NBA with one skeptical criticism: it is obvious which team win the championship. That team is the Golden State Warriors. Last season, the Warriors won an unprecedented, NBA record, 73 regular season games and cruised all the way to the NBA finals, but lost to a motivated Cleveland Cavaliers team, who were led by a man whose name has become synonymous with basketball: LeBron James. And in the offseason that same NBA record-setting Warriors team made a move to drastically improve their roster. They signed Kevin Durant, a four-time scoring champion, seven-time all-star, and one-time NBA MVP. In addition to this monstrous signing, the Warriors also retained last season's MVP, Stephen Curry, along with Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, who were also all stars. Now with this in mind, it is easy to proclaim that they will easily win this year's NBA championship, but I say, not so fast. In June, the San Antonio Spurs will be hoisting the trophy.
But how could the San Antonio Spurs possibly dismantle such an incredible-star-studded Warriors team? The answer is simple: inside the paint. The Warriors lost center Andrew Bogut in the offseason to the Dallas Mavericks. While he may seem insginificant, he will be the death of the Warriors title chances this season. Without Bogut, the Warriors do not have one proficient shot-blocker/presence in the paint near the basket. Bogut, standing seven feet tall, averaged 1.6 blocks per game in the 21 minutes played he averaged per game. Now, the Warriors only have Zaza Pachulia, to fill his shoes, but he only average 0.3 blocks per game. Pachulia is not even remotely close to the same intimidating presence within the paint as Bogut was last season. This deficiency will allow other team to score a myriad of points that are close to basket on the Warriors, whether it be from a guard driving or a big man posting up. I fully expect the Spurs, with Pau Gasol, a 6 time all star center, and Lamarcus Aldridge, a five-time all star power forward, to exploit this glaring weakness. The Spurs also have Kawhi Leonard, a dynamic, athletic forward who is the reigning two-time defensive player of the year. But this MVP candidate can do anything on the court as highlighted by his 21.2 points per game, 1 block and 1.8 steals per game, and 6.8 rebounds per game. To add onto the Spurs impressive resume, the team also has Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, who are two veterans of the game. These two have combined for 8 all star games and six nba all first team selections. Not to mention they have both won four NBA titles with the Spurs in their spectacular careers. These two will provide excellent leadership for this team that will guide them to the promised land, the NBA finals. Finally, the Spurs have Greg Popovich leading the way. Popovich has won five NBA titles, 1000 NBA wins, and 19 consecutive winning seasons. He knows how to win in the NBA and will extract the best from his players due to superior strategy and preparation.
Morale of the story: this NBA season is not over before it has even started; the Warriors will not win the championship.
