NBA Power Rankings: The Pacific Division

May 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) attempts a shot defended by Los Angeles Clippers guard Darren Collison (2) and forward

(22) during the fourth quarter in game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Golden State Warriors 126-121. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

2. Golden State Warriors

2013-14 record: 51-31

Key Losses: Steve Blake, Head Coach Mark Jackson

Key Additions: Shaun Livingston, Brandon Rush, Head Coach Steve Kerr

It will be interesting to see how different Golden State is under Steve Kerr, rather than Mark Jackson. In Kerr’s first season as a head coach, I expect to see some growing pains, but it’s not often a rookie head coach inherits a lineup and roster as stacked as Golden State’s roster is.

The Warriors were the talk of the offseason for a minute when they were actively involved in the Kevin Love sweepstakes. Ultimately, the Warriors backed out of the deal because they didn’t want to give up Klay Thompson for Love.

(RECORD SCRATCH)

I still can’t believe that Thompson was the reason the Love trade never happened. It’s blasphemous. Thompson is good and all, but he’s not at Love’s level and probably never will be. I don’t know why the Warriors balked, but I hope it doesn’t come back to bite them.

Signing Shaun Livingston was a great move for the Warriors. I love what Livingston brings to their lineup. He can guard multiple positions, and he can take over point guard duties and let Thompson, Steph Curry, and Andre Igoudala play off the ball. It might take some getting used to, but it clears up an area where the Warriors have struggled in the past.

The problem with the Warriors is always injuries. David Lee, Igoudala, and Andrew Bogut seem like they’re out every other week with some sort of injury. It’s unfortunate, but that’s the reality of the NBA, and the Warriors have no one to blame but themselves. All of those guys had preexisting injury problems when they signed with Golden State.

That’s why the Love trade was so crucial. It would have given Golden State the flexibility that another star brings. The defense has to account for Love and Curry, and it takes the pressure off the other players, and possibly helps them avoid injury. Golden State will be good next season, possibly a top-four team in the West. Love would have made them a contender, though, so it’s hard to even be excited if you’re a Warriors’ fan.

Let’s just hope this balk on the Love trade doesn’t haunt Golden State like the James Harden trade haunts Oklahoma City.