Ranking the Biggest Threats to Golden State Warriors' Western Conference Throne
The Golden State Warriors are sitting pretty atop the Western Conference.
Not only do they own the league's top defense and third-ranked offense, but the Bay Area's esteemed hoopers own a cozy five-game cushion over the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies. Additionally, the Warriors have ripped off 19 straight home wins with seemingly no end to their dominance in sight.
Which begs the question: Of the Warriors' perceived competition in a likely field of postseason foes, which team represents the biggest threat to their shiny new throne?
In order to determine the exact pecking order, a few factors were taken into consideration. Not only did roster construction play a major role, but teams' respective abilities to hang with Golden State throughout the first half of the season were examined as a means of separating contenders from pretenders.
Finally, statistical trends were examined to determine which teams' style of play would represent the toughest matchup for the Warriors over the course of a seven-game series.
From the superstar-laden casts of the Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder, to perennial title-contending staples like the San Antonio Spurs, the Warriors can't get too comfortable as they eye their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1975.
7. Houston Rockets
1 of 7
The Houston Rockets aren't pulling up the rear because their 126-113 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 21 is still fresh in the basketball world's collective mind. Rather, they're functioning as the caboose because that manhandling clinched Golden State's sweep of the season series.
Over the course of their lopsided four-game extravaganza, the Warriors tallied an average margin of victory of 15.3 points while dropping a mean score of 115. They also hit 38.2 percent of their threes against the league's fifth-ranked defense, which is downright disrespectful.
It's the direction Houston's offense is trending that's providing more cause for concern, though.
While the defense has held up its end of the bargain, the Rockets have entered unfamiliar territory in terms of efficiency. Ranked No. 14 overall in offensive rating, Houston's attack tailor-made to churn out points from three and the free-throw line has failed to produce optimal results.
As Bleacher Report's Kelly Scaletta explained in great detail, Houston's vendetta against long two-point shots may actually be detrimental to its overall production:
"Focusing too much on the Morey zones allows offenses to become predictable. It ends up forcing contested shots when a more efficient, open shot might be available from the long-two range. Adding just enough 'stinky' shots improves the efficiency of already-efficient shots because it forces defenses to account for them—at least in theory.
"
And like Golden State Warriors combo-forward extraordinaire Draymond Green put it when responding to James Harden's assessment of Golden State's talent, according to ESPN.com's Ethan Sherwood Strauss: "Ya, you know, if we not that good, they in trouble."
6. Los Angeles Clippers
2 of 7
Credit the Los Angeles Clippers, because they're one of just six teams who have been able to slay the Golden State Warriors this season.
However, the shortcomings that have come to define Doc Rivers' club may be too significant to overcome during a seven-game series against the Western Conference kings.
Despite possessing the league's top-ranked offense and ranking third in net rating per 100 possessions, the Clippers' 14th-ranked defense, lackluster second unit and feeble rim-protecting capabilities are massive obstacles to clear versus the league's most complete squadron.
Specifically, L.A. is allowing opponents to shoot 52.8 percent at the rim, per SportVU player-tracking data, which is to be expected when Spencer Hawes, Glen Davis and Ekpe Udoh represent your rotational options off the pine.
To make matters worse, "the Clippers are a crazy 13.7 points per 100 possessions worse with Spencer Hawes on the floor this season," according to Bleacher Report's Fred Katz.
As a collective, L.A.'s bench ranks 20th in scoring and 27th in field-goal percentage, according to HoopsStats.com. That's particularly concerning since Golden State's bench grades out at No. 11 in scoring and tops in field-goal conversion rate.
It's a grim outlook considering Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are championship-caliber pieces, but at this point, it's pretty clear what the Clippers have to offer: a top-flight offense, a league-average defense and no semblance of depth.
Even if they are fortunate enough to get out of the first round, don't expect a seven-game grind with the Warriors to provide much drama.
5. Portland Trail Blazers
3 of 7
The Portland Trail Blazers have only had one crack at the Golden State Warriors, but it was a valiant effort.
Unlike so many opponents who have been vanquished in short order, the Blazers made Steve Kerr's crew scrap and claw for every single point during their Nov. 2 duel.
And while it may have only been the third game of the Warriors' season, the showdown was indicative of what spectators can expect from Portland in clashes moving forward.
Limiting Golden State to 44.4 percent shooting from the field and 31.6 percent shooting from three in the 95-90 loss, Portland flashed the defensive improvement that has put it in prime position to contend for a conference title.
Although the team's offense has taken a step back outside of elite territory, the defense ranks third overall in efficiency a year after sitting at No. 16. The fact the Blazers continue to occupy such an esteemed spot with Robin Lopez sidelined due to a broken right hand also speaks volumes about their progression as a cohesive unit.
With Damian Lillard, Wesley Matthews and LaMarcus Aldridge providing top-tier firepower, a legitimate 10-man rotation supplying fresh legs and stellar half-court execution, Portland is a nice sleeper to give Golden State fits should they meet down the line.
4. Dallas Mavericks
4 of 7
Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks couldn't best the Golden State Warriors back on Dec. 13, but that was a pre-Rajon Rondo showdown. Now with Rondo in tow, the Mavericks will have three cracks at the Warriors as they roll out a revised plan of attack.
Prior to the floor general's arrival, the Mavericks were an offensive juggernaut that provided very little defensive resistance. However, since Rondo's Dallas debut on Dec. 20, the Mavericks have posted a net rating of plus-5.8 points per 100 possessions, with the most profound improvement coming on defense.
Although Rondo's defensive efforts were often criticized toward the end of his tenure with the Boston Celtics, he's quickly transformed Dallas' identity during his month-plus in Texas.
Now recoding a defensive rating of 100.9 with Rondo at the point, the Mavericks have surrendered a meager two points more per 100 defensive possessions than Golden State since the blockbuster trade.
Check in with Dallas' starting lineup consisting of Rondo, Monta Ellis, Chandler Parsons, Dirk Nowitzki and Tyson Chandler, and the Mavericks are posting a defensive rating of 94.5 over 210 minutes. That would rank as the league's top mark to date if it spanned the course of the entire regular season.
It's understandably taking time for the Mavericks to acclimate to life with a new conductor. But if Dallas can match its defensive potency on the offensive end before playoff time, Golden State will want to avoid Rick Carlisle's veteran collective.
Fortunately, an upcoming clash of Western Conference titans on Feb. 4 will give us a preview of some potential fireworks.
3. San Antonio Spurs
5 of 7
Hey, look, a team that's undefeated against the Golden State Warriors this season. Granted it's a one-game sample, but teams have to take what they can get against the victors of 19 straight home games. Ironically, the Warriors' 113-100 loss on Nov. 11 was their last at Oracle Arena.
In true San Antonio fashion, the Spurs outlined a blueprint to crack the Warriors' seemingly invincible armor. Not only did they boast five double-figure scorers, but swarming defense forced Golden State into 20 turnovers that produced 21 San Antonio points.
But as Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding recently discussed, the Spurs will need to discover some extra motivation to combat a post-championship malaise:
"Popovich cited a 'laissez-faire, entitled attitude.' He described his starters' lack of urgency as feeling 'everything will be fine,' an approach that would've never been found on the determined Spurs of last season.
Here was Duncan's analysis, practically oozing the complacency that embeds itself so often in defending champions: 'Nights like that happen sometimes.' Then the quick allowance that it shouldn't be OK: 'Too often this year.'
"
It'd be easy to discount the Spurs based on the uncharacteristic apathy that defined their early-season struggles. The return of healthy, rejuvenated Kawhi Leonard can help some of those creeping concerns, though.
In his 28 appearances, Leonard has posted a net rating of plus-11.6 points per 100 possessions. That's the highest mark of any San Antonio player, with Patty Mills the only other regular contributor within striking distance.
If the Spurs can follow Leonard's lead in conjunction with a stylistic return to form, don't discount the possibility of postseason chaos.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
6 of 7
The Oklahoma City Thunder receive a slight edge over the defending champions because their spring-loaded legs figure to stand a better chance against the high-octane Warriors.
Of course, that's assuming Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Co. can overcome their offensive demons and ward off the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans for the Western Conference's No. 8 seed.
"We’ve been here before. It’s nothing new to us," Durant said, according to The Oklahoman's Darnell Mayberry. "We’ve been in these types of battles before. This year is a little different because everybody's playing catch-up. And I guess everybody from the outside looking in is saying all these games are important."
Should they qualify, the Thunder could be primed for a Western Conference quarterfinal clash with the Warriors. And wouldn't that be something special.
Although they went just 1-3 against Golden State in the season series, Oklahoma City's convincing 127-115 triumph on Jan. 16 pointed to the team's massive potential with its full complement of studs firing on all cylinders.
The offense has been lagging as a result of injury-related hiccups mixed with shoddy ball movement, ranking 21st in offensive rating. Should that mark tick up as the Thunder attempt to surge into the postseason, last year's conference final participants will be staring at a golden chance to make first-round history.
1. Memphis Grizzlies
7 of 7
It may take a Western Conference Finals appearance for the Memphis Grizzlies to ultimately threaten the Golden State Warriors' throne, but an eventual battle would represent an epic clash of contrasting styles.
While the Warriors rank tops in pace—generating more than 101 possessions per 48 minutes—the Grizzlies hold down the 27th spot at just over 94 possessions a night.
The league's foremost authority on all half-court matters, Memphis is morphing into a multidimensional offense that can play off the skills of several diverse talents.
Although the most direct route to prosperity often runs through some form of an elbow touch for Marc Gasol or pick-and-roll between Big Spain and Mike Conley, the Grizzlies' expanded perimeter arsenal now touts Jeff Green, Courtney Lee, Tony Allen and Vince Carter.
And as Bleacher Report's Josh Martin wrote, Zach Randolph (16.9 points, 11.9 rebounds per game) can help restore the team's elite status out West:
"With Randolph, the Grizzlies play like the league's second-best offense and fourth-best defense, per NBA.com. Without him, their offense is barely better than Brooklyn's 24th-ranked attack, their defense on par with the Orlando Magic's 21st-ranked unit.
Or, to put it another way, it's Randolph, now Memphis' third banana, who gives the 'Grit and Grind' Grizzlies that extra boost, from nice story to legitimate Western Conference contender.
"
With a 105-98 win against the Warriors on Dec. 16 already in the bag, the Grizzlies have established that they're capable of locking up Golden State's vaunted offense for stretches.
Although the results may never be as aesthetically pleasing, a team like Memphis that operates methodically each and every time down the floor could prove to be a fascinating form of kryptonite for the conference favorites.
All statistics current as of Jan. 27 and courtesy of NBA.com unless noted otherwise.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
