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Golden State Warriors: The NBA’s vulnerable favorites

By Alex Eddy

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 17: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives on Luc Mbah a Moute #12 of the Houston Rockets at ORACLE Arena on October 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 17: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives on Luc Mbah a Moute #12 of the Houston Rockets at ORACLE Arena on October 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors are likely still the favorites to win the 2018 NBA Championship, but they might actually be vulnerable

Since the 2014-15 NBA season began, vulnerability has never been a word associated with Golden State basketball. As the playoffs approach here in 2018, that powerful word has entered the Warriors’ vocabulary.

For the first time since 2014, the Bay Area powerhouse will fail to reach 60 wins during the regular season. More importantly, their title chances are actually in question.

There are two huge factors that will ultimately decide the fate of the Warriors: The Houston Rockets’ defensive discipline and Stephen Curry‘s health.

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The Houston Threat

Now to address the former; many would say that Houston has been the best team in the NBA this season. James Harden is the favorite to win MVP honors, they have the best offense in basketball, and they can absolutley obliterate you from downtown.

More than 40 percent of Houston’s points come from 3-point territory and they have made over 1,200 3-pointers on the season. Plain and simple, if they are hot from the outside, no one can keep up with them offensively (except for a healthy Warriors team). At 64-16, the Rockets have been incredible this season.

However, the ultimate question for the Rockets will be their ability to get crucial stops on the defensive end of the floor in the playoffs. Mike D’Antoni is an offensive wizard, but will be able to get his guys to lockdown on defense. Their success will depend on it.

This is where the addition of Chris Paul should really have an impact (which is ironic because playoff success hasn’t been his forte). To the surprise of many, the Rockets are actually ranked seventh in defensive rating. They were ranked 18th last season. We know they love to pull the trigger from downtown, but defense will ultimately decide their fate, and ultimately, could decide the fate of the Warriors.

Steph’s Knee

Secondly, Steph Curry needs to be healthy and ready for the second round. The Warriors will most likely need to win the first round without his services, but they will absolutely need him going forward. It has been a weird season with injuries this NBA season, and the Warriors have been no exception.

Whether it is Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, or Draymond Green, all four of their stars have been out for periods of time this season. The last time Curry missed this many regular season games, you have to go back to 2011-12, Thompson only played fewer games in his rookie season, and this will be Green’s fewest regular season games played in his career.

Rust and chemistry issues have clearly been evident throughout the season. Curry is their most valuable piece, so his health is of utmost importance. Over Golden State’s last 15 games (Curry has played in one game and they won), they have a record of 6-9. That is not a recipe for success, especially with the playoffs right around the corner.

Must Read: NBA: 5 most underachieving players of the 2017-18 season

You can’t completely dicsount the Toronto Raptors or even the Cleveland Cavaliers and the West has been wild this season, but to be honest, the biggest hurdles are the Houston Rockets and the overall health of the Warriors (especially Stephen Curry).

Hopefully, Curry’s upcoming knee evaluation will give us a good idea of his timetable when it comes to the playoffs. For now, we have to understand that the Warriors are indeed vulnerbale. It doesn’t sound right saying it, but if there was a year that the Warriors aren’t considered the definite favorite, it is this year.

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