Nothing is guaranteed in life or sports. Warriors are figuring that out. Durant's knee injury is a scary situation for sure. It's amazing how in a second things can change completely in life and sports. Of course, it's not that serious for the dubs yet. Durant is supposed to come back for the playoffs, actually much earlier than that. But the Spurs as usual are on their tail and the fear for the Warriors is losing home court in the playoffs. Winning the regular season looked like a foregone conclusion for the first 4 months, but now looks shaky since they lost back-to-back games for the first time in forever since Durant's injury. That was one of the coolest records in their run and they have now lost to the Wizards and Bulls back-to-back on the road. Of course this was a tough road-trip anyways and they still have to adjust to life without Durant. Still, the amber-light is on, if not the red-light and that is totally understandable when you lose a top-3 talent in the league like Durant. Even a deep, talented Warriors team cannot move on without any impact.
But the Warriors will be fine as long as Durant comes back relatively healthy in time for the playoffs. After the initial bump, they should be able to compete and win in the regular season like last year without KD. It will be interesting to see if the Spurs get past them, but what does that even mean in the long run? The Spurs had the second spot last year in the West and had home court against the Thunder and didn't even get past that second round series. So if both the Warriors and the Spurs do make it all the way to the Western Conference Finals, I am not sure how big the home court is going to be. But just the prestige and optics of being the best in the West and the league is important and losing that is not good for the Warriors. You have to be aggressive and go for the crown at every point in sports. Things change constantly and I always say, the window doesn't close but others just surpass you before you realize it. As great as the Warriors have been this season and as young as their core is, they can't take anything for granted for this season or the future and they have to get the best out of every game.
Speaking of windows and challengers, the NBA trade deadline had a great start and a quiet end. Boogie Cousins addition to the Pelicans has a potential to be landscape changing. It has not worked out for them in it's first week, but there is too much size and talent there to write them off. In fact, given the Pelicans are chasing the 8th spot in the playoffs and the Warriors weaknesses against interior size, people were immediately trying to project how a Warriors-Pelicans first round matchup will play out. Would the Warriors be in trouble? I don't think so, but may be if the Pelicans can add a piece or two to those big guys next year, it can have a big impact in the West. And then the Durant injury happens. You realize how fickle and intensely competitive and challenging success in sports can be in sports. Everybody is coming for the crown. Can Curry and Durant hold the fort for the Warriors for a few years like LeBron or Kobe/Shaq or MJ? Time will tell. Even the Suns with the emergence of Booker and with yet another top pick coming up next year will be a threat in a couple of years. Nothing wrong with that!
But the Warriors will be fine as long as Durant comes back relatively healthy in time for the playoffs. After the initial bump, they should be able to compete and win in the regular season like last year without KD. It will be interesting to see if the Spurs get past them, but what does that even mean in the long run? The Spurs had the second spot last year in the West and had home court against the Thunder and didn't even get past that second round series. So if both the Warriors and the Spurs do make it all the way to the Western Conference Finals, I am not sure how big the home court is going to be. But just the prestige and optics of being the best in the West and the league is important and losing that is not good for the Warriors. You have to be aggressive and go for the crown at every point in sports. Things change constantly and I always say, the window doesn't close but others just surpass you before you realize it. As great as the Warriors have been this season and as young as their core is, they can't take anything for granted for this season or the future and they have to get the best out of every game.
Speaking of windows and challengers, the NBA trade deadline had a great start and a quiet end. Boogie Cousins addition to the Pelicans has a potential to be landscape changing. It has not worked out for them in it's first week, but there is too much size and talent there to write them off. In fact, given the Pelicans are chasing the 8th spot in the playoffs and the Warriors weaknesses against interior size, people were immediately trying to project how a Warriors-Pelicans first round matchup will play out. Would the Warriors be in trouble? I don't think so, but may be if the Pelicans can add a piece or two to those big guys next year, it can have a big impact in the West. And then the Durant injury happens. You realize how fickle and intensely competitive and challenging success in sports can be in sports. Everybody is coming for the crown. Can Curry and Durant hold the fort for the Warriors for a few years like LeBron or Kobe/Shaq or MJ? Time will tell. Even the Suns with the emergence of Booker and with yet another top pick coming up next year will be a threat in a couple of years. Nothing wrong with that!
2 comments:
Losing Harrison Barnes last off-season makes Durant's injury worse for Golden State. Of course they couldn't have had both players simultaneously but without KD the Warriors' SF position is not even as good as last year's team. Not only that but Durant was one of the league's best defensive players this season so his absence is being felt on both ends of the floor.
I can't believe how the Spurs stay elite year after year seemingly regardless of personnel. I'm happy for Pau Gasol who seems to be having a resurgence of form in an environment that's bringing out the best in him. I wonder if the Spurs organization can even replace Pop and stay a top-tier team. That would totally blow my mind!
In the east, the Celtics have been quite a surprise and could very well give the Cavs some trouble in the post-season.
Looking forward to a good final stretch of the regular season en route to the playoffs!
I expect a lot from Boston in the East. But yesterday's drubbing in the hands of Cleveland was an eye-opener.
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