the warriors and everyone else

By: Lucas Kochevar

        The NBA is now in the middle of the second round and the clear NBA favorite is not the Golden State Warriors. Why?

         Why are we considering any other team that does not have four all-stars, two MVPs, and a Coach of the Year?

        It does not make sense to me. The roster for the Warriors is deadly from top to bottom. First things first, they have Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in the back court and they are the the best shooting back court we have ever seen. Curry is currently "recovering" from an MCL injury. Curry did not look like he missed two months as he scored 28 points in his return against the Pelicans. Thompson has been averaging 21 points in Curry's absence. Andre Igoudala has been the starting point guard for the team and has made sure that everything runs smoothly. 

​          Kevin Durant has been the true leader, however, as he has been averaging 29 points and has consistently performed at a high level. The addition to Curry back in the lineup should surely provide a boost as Durant will not feel like he is forced to make plays. With the pressure off of Durant, I expect the Warriors offense to run more smoothly and the ball should fly around player to player instead of a 'hero ball' mentality.

         The Warriors should try and get into their offensive set where they can run the 'Spain Pick and Roll' The Spain PnR in a set where the big man will stand tall at the free throw line and hand the ball of to the guard as soon as he recieves it. When he gets the ball back to the guard, who is cutting to the basket, he should provide a block and seal off the guards defender. This forces the defender in the paint to either chase the faster guard or make sure that his man does not just turn and shoot it. The best way the Warriors can use this configuration is by using Durant to set the screen and Curry or Thompson as cutters. 

          The Warriors should be feared and much more respected than any other team remaining, including the Rockets.