The Golden State Warriors Are Learning, But Playoffs Still Long Shot

They're teasing us, sure, but the Golden State Warriors are playing good basketball. They've upped their defense, and seem more in-tune on the offensive side of the ball. But by no means are they going to make the playoffs in the Western Conference.

The one good thing from this season so far is the fact that everyone on the Warriors now knows their role. Monta is the No. 1 guy, there is zero debate about this; Steph Curry is the sidekick; Dorell Wright is functional; David Lee is there when you need the ball in the post or a mid-range bucket; and Andris Biedrins, well, you go stand under the hoop.

It's helped, of course, but this team is still not playoff-caliber, at least in the Western Conference.

Currently, the Warriors are six games out of the eighth playoff spot in the Western Conference. Not too shabby if you're a Warriors fan, but they will have to get past the likes of Utah, Memphis and Phoenix if they want in. Not likely.

Now, there's no counting them out, but it seems rather unlikely. The Warriors will have to put together one hell of a run in this second half of the season, and then some.

It doesn't mean they can't do it. The way they finished the first half of the season was crisp and clean, and there's no saying they can't keep it up into the second half. But there's no saying the Suns or Jazz can't pull away with it either. Throw the up-start Grizzlies in there for good measure, as well.

Too many obstacles stand in the Warriors' way, and they're not talented or coached well enough to overcome them.

The Warriors have a shot, but it's a long one. A successful second half would be Monta, Curry, Wright and Lee coming together as a cohesive unit and giving us hope for yet another year.