As the Golden State Warriors prepare to defend their NBA title, they’ll have to do it in a much more competitive Western Conference
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Just when you think it can’t get any better…it does. The NBA’s best conference, the West, has made the necessary moves this summer to make their side of the NBA even more competitive. First and foremost, while a good bit of critics think the Golden State Warriors didn’t earn their title due to the Cavs injuries, I think it’s important that we establish that the Warriors were the best basketball team all year last season.
We could play the “what if” game all day, but in the words of Draymond Green this summer,“…But if if were a fifth, we’d all be drunk right now.”
Check out Stephen Curry‘s response to their critics below:
Last year’s Western Conference playoff matchups showed us that the conference definitely has some heavy competition. Prime examples are: the Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs. Without a doubt, if not plagued with injuries, the Oklahoma City Thunder would have been involved in the championship conversation as well.
Although, it was the Golden State Warriors that emerged as the Western Conference and NBA Champions. And if they want to do it again – repeat – it’s going to be much more difficult.
Here are just some of the ways the Western Conference has improved this summer:
- Lamarcus Aldridge was this NBA off-season’s top free agent, and although rumored to be a strong contender to play with the Lakers, he signed with the San Antonio Spurs. San Antonio also re-signed Defensive Player of the Year, Kawhi Leonard, to a max contract, brought back Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Danny Green, and signed veteran power forward, David West. The Spurs are definitely a team to look out for as a possible title contender this season.
- Oklahoma City Thunder will return Serge Ibaka, and the 2013-2014 NBA MVP, Kevin Durant, back from injury. The return of Durant is more than enough, but the Thunder can’t accomplish anything this season unless they’re all healthy.
- The Los Angeles Clippers managed to “take” DeAndre Jordan back from the Mavs, but the Clippers issues lied in their lack of depth, and it showed during the playoffs. During free agency, they added Lance Stephenson, Cole Adrich, Josh Smith, andPaul Pierce. These four additions should help them tremendously off the bench this season.
- After losing in the Conference Finals, James Harden stated that the Houston Rockets needed a playmaker; they got just that in point guard Ty Lawson this summer. Although Lawson certainly has his off-the-court issues, he adds playing-making and scoring to this team if he can get his life turned around.
The Western Conference will, once again, be almost impossible to get through – except for one team, of course. The top six spots will be in a dog fight; nothing will be easy.
The Golden State Warriors are returning their core players, and with Steph Curry giving high fives to teammates before a shot goes in, the Golden State Warriors still reign supreme in the Western Conference.