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NBA: What Western Conference Teams Could Beat The Golden State Warriors?

By Drew Clark

Oct 6, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) greets forward Draymond Green (23) before the start of the game against the Sacramento Kings at the SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) greets forward Draymond Green (23) before the start of the game against the Sacramento Kings at the SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 6, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) greets forward Draymond Green (23) before the start of the game against the Sacramento Kings at the SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) greets forward Draymond Green (23) before the start of the game against the Sacramento Kings at the SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

The Golden State Warriors have won back-to-back NBA Western Conference titles and have added former MVP Kevin Durant; who can compete with this roster?

The NBA’s Western Conference from top to bottom may not be as strong as years past, but the one at the top could be the best ever.

It shouldn’t be allowed to sign former MVP Kevin Durant to join Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson, but unfortunately it is. The question now is if any team in the conference has any shot at competing against the back-to-back WCF champions.

The Warriors do have a new look roster outside of Kevin Durant. Zaza Pachulia was one of the most underlooked, best free agent signings in the offseason. He will replace Andrew Bogut in the starting lineup. Festus Ezeli is also absent from this year’s front court, resulting in David West to fill those minutes.

The rest of last year’s team is together sans Harrison Barnes.

Could this team win 70+ games again? Most likely, the range of 65-70 is more likely to let players rest.

Game-planning for a team like the Warriors can seem like an impossible task, however every team has weaknesses, including the Warriors. Here is some criteria to beat the Golden State:

  • Outscore them- It’s going to be tough to defend them for 48 minutes so teams need to figure out where the weaknesses in the defense is, along with any mismatches that could be taken advantage of.
  • Rebound- Giving an offense like Golden State second chances is a no-no. Teams may as well walk off the court if they do this. Block out and crash the boards is key in any basketball game, but especially against the Warriors.
  • Control the pace- Some teams like to run, others slow it down and play half court ball. A team must play their own game. Running with the Warriors may not be the best idea, but a prolific offense like the Rockets might have could stay pace with the scoring output of Golden State.

Here are five teams that have the best chance at beating the defending conference champions.

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