NBA: Five Bold Predictions for the 2016-17 NBA Season

By Zach Blochlinger | Aug 9, 2016

May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the ball around Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) during the third quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

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July 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; USA guard Kevin Durant (5) is congratulated by forward Draymond Green (14) behind guard Klay Thompson (11) against China in the first quarter during an exhibition basketball game at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

July 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; USA guard Kevin Durant (5) is congratulated by forward Draymond Green (14) behind guard Klay Thompson (11) against China in the first quarter during an exhibition basketball game at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Warriors Get Worse With Durant

Kevin Durant made one of the biggest moves in NBA history when he left the OKC Thunder to team up with the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors now have the most talented NBA roster that has ever been assembled with Durant, Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson all presumably in the starting lineup.

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Without Durant last season, the Warriors had the best record in the history of the NBA, going 73-9. In the playoffs, the Warriors beat Durant’s Thunder in the Western Conference Finals before losing to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games.

In reality, if the Warriors could have pulled out Game 7, one single game, and claimed their second straight NBA championship, adding Durant probably would not have happened.

Looking ahead to next season, I see the star-studded lineup having some trouble getting acclimated to playing with each other. This move takes a bunch of shots off the table offensively from both Durant and the rest of the starters as they will have to build up their chemistry over time.

I can’t see this Warriors squad being able to match or surpass their last season mark of 73-9. Durant is obviously an upgrade on any roster he is put on, but with this being his first season playing with the Warriors, I can’t see them improving on the best record in NBA history.

Whether they have a slump where they lose five or six games in a row, or overall don’t play as well as they did last regular season, this team will not have less than 10 wins again in 2016-17.

Don’t get me wrong, the Warriors are the best team in the NBA, as of now, and should be far and away the favorites to win the NBA Finals. But as far as their regular season record is concerned, I expect regression in 2016-17.

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