The Western Conference is getting more and more competitive. The West is home to some of the most successful teams over the last few decades. Both the Lakers and the Spurs have been powerhouse teams in the West. In recent years the Oklahoma City Thunder have been dominating the West. There is no doubt that from top to bottom the competition is the deepest in the West. And now another team is emerging as a Western powerhouse. The Golden State Warriors have made a quick turnaround and are now looking like possible contenders. But can they really overthrow the likes of the Heat or the rest of the West?
The Warriors made one of the biggest moves this offseason when they signed Andre Iguodala. Iguodala is one of the most dynamic players in the NBA today. He can score, rebound, pass and is an excellent defender. He adds another dimension to this already explosive team. The biggest addition he brings to the Warriors is his elite perimeter defense. While Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes are all solid defenders, Iggy is one of the few lockdown perimeter defenders in the game today. This defense is especially vital when you play against players like Kobe Bryant, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Damian Lillard. Iggy is also a fantastic passer and he can act as a point guard when Curry needs a break.
The addition of Iguodala strengthens an already fantastic backcourt. Stephen Curry is the unquestioned leader of this team. Curry is great at scoring in bunches as well as distributing. Unfortunately Curry has struggled with ankle injuries and he always seems to miss some games because of them. Klay Thompson is another lights out shooter. He has improved every year and he will only continue to get better. Harrison Barnes is entering his second year as a pro and he will only improve. Barnes will most likely be placed in a sixth man role and while it may hurt his development, he should excel there. David Lee is one of the most underrated power forwards in the league. Lee is a great scorer and rebounder. Andrew Bogut is a great presence when he is healthy. The key words there are “when healthy”. Bogut has struggled with injuries all throughout his career. When healthy, Bogut can be one of the better centers in the league.
When everyone is healthy, this can be one of the most dangerous starting rotations in the league. Add in Harrison Barnes coming off the bench and you have a very solid team. The biggest issue for the Warriors is their lack of depth. This offseason they let their two best bench players walk in order to save cap room. This move could come back to haunt them as Carl Landry and Jarret Jack were two very productive role players. With the type of injury concerns this team has, losing two valuable roles players can really hurt.
The Warriors are a very talented team, and they will win plenty of games this season. They are even good enough to fight for a top seed in the West. My concern is when they make the playoffs. After a long grueling season what happens if Curry’s ankle flare up; or if Andrew Bogut goes down with another injury? Do they have enough quality depth to get through the playoffs without one of their main players? When everyone is healthy this team can definitely compete consistently. They have the talent and the coaching. They also have the talent both on the perimeter and in the paint. This is an explosive team with scoring options at every position. If this team can stay healthy they can definitely compete in the West and for the Finals.