The Warriors proved many skeptics wrong last season by winning their fourth NBA championship in eight seasons.
Golden State’s Big 3 of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green showed that the Warriors’ dynasty is not only alive and well, it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
Still, the Warriors are back in the same spot as last year under suspicion and overlooked.
This time, it’s from an NBA general manager who, instead of having high hopes for the defending champion, was starred by a team that has never won a conference title in its 53-year history.
“The Clippers are a team to beat,” said the Western Conference general manager. FOX SPORTS POLL“I don’t think Golden State is in their class. The Clippers have too much depth. I admire the Warriors’ can-do attitude. But they’re exhausted after sitting everyone down for two years.” The battle is won. I’m not. Just know you’ll last this time.”
Admittedly, the Warriors’ second-straight title hopes didn’t get off to the best start.
Golden State’s 3-4 start to the 2022-23 NBA season and a winless record on the road aren’t exactly “champions.” The last time the Warriors opened a season with his three-game losing streak was in his shortened 2011-12 season, which ended 23-43.
But with the Clippers (3-4) holding the exact same record as of Tuesday, it’s silly to judge the team’s future with less than 10 games to start the season.
“I don’t think they care about the regular season,” said the Eastern Conference scout. It’s all about
Los Angeles stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George playing under championship-level coach Tyronn Lue are NBA scouts, GMs and coaches leaning toward the Clippers this season. A big reason.
George hasn’t played in more than 54 games since the 2018-19 season and Leonard hasn’t played in more than 60 games since the 2016-17 season, but confidence in the Clippers this year is due to their depth. . Since the last postseason two seasons ago, Los Angeles has acquired John Wall, Norm his Powell and Robert Covington.
Those who expect the Warriors to waver this year are also expecting a dip because the team that won last season won’t be the same team this season. hopes to fill that void.
Opponent scouts, however, are unsure if that will happen.
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“I understand why they let a veteran bench player go and made a big bet. [Jonathan] Kuminga, Moody and Wiseman,” said the Eastern Conference scout. Kuminga isn’t very strong and can probably only be used situationally, so depending on the matchup, downgrading him from Otto Porter or Gary Payton could be an issue.
“Wiseman isn’t very good at it, and the fact that they don’t face him in a really important match could be weakening their ability to win.”
Another Eastern Conference scout thinks it takes one thing for the Warriors to have a chance to return to the NBA Finals.
“Wiseman or Kuminga has to have a Jordan Poole year and break out,” said the scout. It’s a group of smart players who know how to play and cut.”
The Warriors could host the Clippers later this month, a preview of the Western Conference Finals.
