Photo Courtesy Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press
Now is the time of year for all NBA faithful to really start to look at which team remaining has the best chance to take their squad to the top and finish the year on a positive note with a victory in the NBA Finals.
In recent memory, the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat have led the majority of title conversations but that is no longer the case thanks to 2015. The Spurs fell to a resurgent and brilliant Los Angeles Clippers team led by an injured Chris Paul (who didn’t get to play in Game 1 against Houston), Boston fell to the Cavs in round one and the other two didn’t even make the playoffs.
Yikes. Sounds like we’re going to have a brand new champion.
But is Golden State the answer to this year’s question?
For obvious reasons, the best team in the Western Conference is usually the best team in the entire Association, but that doesn’t always guarantee a title run or victory.
Following their Game 1 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in the conference semis, Golden State looked poised more than ever to make their case known now and possibly create a brand new type of dynasty.
A fast one.
If you’ve ever wondered what it might look like to witness an immovable object clashing against an unstoppable force, you should try to watch a Golden State practice or scrimmage sometime. Not too long ago, Stephen Curry decided to take to the ultimate three-point challenge and knocked down 77-straight shots from beyond the arc.
If you didn’t say wow, have to read that sentence twice, or nod in approval you need to get your eyes checked.
Because that’s just nuts.
Courtesy Warriors World
It’s a mirror image of the hot streak that fellow Warrior and companion in the “Splash Bros.” Klay Thompson.
Earlier in the season, Thompson went off for 37 points in one quarter and that set an NBA record — not bad for someone that’s generally considered to play second fiddle to the now-MVP Stephen Curry. If Thompson and Curry can continue to connect like they have in the regular season — a phase in which Golden State won 67 of 82 games — then sure, I have no problem saying their unstoppable.
But the chances of that actually happening are slim to none.
Neither Curry nor Thompson have experience with a deep playoff run and that could totally sink their championship boat.
Not to mention that Steve Kerr, Golden State’s head coach, is still in his first year. This leaves plenty of room for his current success to get to his head.
Becoming too dependent on Stephen Curry, now that he officially has the title of most valuable player, will cause the team chemistry to fall even though it’s the best recipe for success, too. While it’s great to have a go-to player on your team, not ensuring that other teammates can contribute their part will make for Golden State’s biggest headache yet.
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