2014 Year In Review: Golden State Warriors
By Matt Furtado/KHTK Sports 1140
The Year of the Splash Brothers:
For the past couple of years, the Golden State Warriors have been forming itself into one of the powerhouses in the Western Conference.
The team has been built around two up and coming stars in the NBA.
Steph Curry and Klay Thompson may just be the best backcourt in the league today. In fact, many analysts and NBA legends have even considered this tandem to be one of the best in history.
2014 was a big year for the "Splash Brothers."
The sharp shooting guards led the Warriors back to the playoffs last season for the second straight year. Curry even made his first all-star team in 2014.
The Warriors faced off against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the playoffs last season. That series is one that will live in NBA history because of the Donald Sterling controversy with the Clippers.
Golden State lost to the Clippers in seven games, but the matchup between the two teams has become one of the best rivalries in the NBA.
In the 2014 offseason, the Warriors pursued to acquire Kevin Love from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The T-Wolves wanted Thompson in the trade, but the Warriors were unwilling to part with the 6-foot-7 shooting guard.
The other big piece of news during the offseason was the firing of Mark Jackson and the hiring of Steve Kerr to be the head coach.
The firing of Jackson was very much in question at the time. He helped the team to two straight playoff appearances, and it seemed like the players had a connection with the coach.
Kerr came into the Warriors organization with no coaching experience at any level, but he is definitely flourishing in the role.
The Warriors are currently 24-5 and off to the best start to a season in franchise history.
Much of the success can be attributed to Kerr's Popovich-like coaching, but his job has been made easier with the way the Splash Brothers have been playing.
The two are averaging a combined 44.4 points per game and shooting almost 41 percent from the three-point line.
Curry will no doubt make the all-star team for the second straight year, he is second in overall votes behind LeBron James, but Thompson is also making a push to make it this year as well.
The Warriors currently sit atop the Western Conference, which is once again loaded with great teams.
What to expect in 2015:
The Warriors are going to make it back to the playoffs, and if they keep a consistent level of play, they could finish in the top four of the conference.
Golden State has one of, if not the best, home crowds in the NBA and locking up any type of home court advantage will be key for them on a run to the championship.
The season isn't even at the half way mark yet, so it's much too early to be talking about a playoff run.
In the Western Conference, anything can happen.
The Dallas Mavericks have dramatically improved by acquiring Rajon Rondo from the Boston Celtics.
The Portland Trailblazers and Memphis Grizzlies have shown they are two of the NBA's elite teams.
The Houston Rockets and Clippers have been two of the best team's in the West for the last few years.
And you can't forget about the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, who seem to get better with age.
It will be a tough fight for the Warriors in 2015. Teams have seen what the Warriors and the Splash Brothers are capable of doing, so teams are going to bring their best effort every night.
2015 should come with a lot of accolades for the Warriors. Curry and Thompson will both make the all-star team. Curry will also earn consideration for league MVP, and Kerr will win the Coach of the Year.