5 Things That Need To Go Right For The Warriors To Win It All
OAKLAND (CBS SF) - The Warriors are used to being overshadowed by more successful neighbors from other sports, but despite World Series Game 7 stealing the spotlight from the tip-off for the 2014-2015 season, there is a lot to get excited about this year in Oakland. The team in now expected to make the playoffs, and be competitive once they get there. The Dubs are not expected to challenge LeBron and company for the title. But could they? Sure. Here's what would need to go right for the Warriors to be contenders.
Splash Brothers Keep Getting Better
They're fresh of a Basketball World Cup Gold Medal, and they are already considered the best shooting combo in the league, but the front office decision to keep Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson together rather than acquire scoring big man Kevin Love this offseason will have people watching for even better play out of the backbone of Dub Nation. Can Steph step up his D? Can Klay prove to be the go-to scorer with a game on the line? If so this could become the most lethal backcourt in the NBA.
Big Men Must Stay Healthy
Andrew Bogut anchors the Warriors defense, but sadly too often he also anchors the injury list. In fact, he's missed parts of his last six NBA seasons with injury, including key playoff games last year. If he, power forward David Lee, and youngster Festus Ezeli can stay on the court, the Warriors will have enough threats on offense to open up Steph and Klay while also protecting the rim like a playoff-caliber team.
Kerr Must Prove He's A Better Coach Than Jackson
Steve Kerr is replacing a man that took the Warriors from perennial doormat to a team nobody wants to face in the playoffs. Like Mark Jackson, Kerr is making the transition from broadcaster to head coach, but with much higher expectations out of the gate. There were complaints that Jackson didn't fully tap the offensive firepower of his roster. Can Kerr keep the ball moving without sacrificing defense? If so, they'll be even more fun to watch going forward. If not, Kerr will find himself on the hot seat in a hurry.
Develop a Bench That Can Hold A Lead
Last year the Warriors were forced to trade for Steve Blake to try and get Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green some backup among the backups. It wasn't enough. The starters logged a ton of minutes, with Curry and Thompson both among the top 25 in the league in minutes played. This year the front office brought back former super-sub Brandon Rush and added veteran scorers Leandro Barbosa and Shaun Livingston to help ease the load. If two out of the three still have some game left they should make a serviceable 2nd team when joined by Ezili, Green and Barnes.
A Little Good Luck
Despite the attention focused on Cleveland's dream team, the most talent and depth in the NBA remains in the Western Conference. The Warriors won't be favored to edge out the Spurs, Thunder or Clippers but each of those teams has injury concerns of its own. The Clippers could have trouble guarding the Warriors on the outside and the Thunder don't have the depth of the other big contenders. The Spurs are aging and everyone is waiting for one of these other teams to take the mantle of the West's best. If the Warriors can stay healthier than the other contenders there are plenty of opportunities for them to create matchup problems in the playoffs.
