SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 20: Klay Thompson #11 and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors talks with each other against Indiana Pacers during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on January 20, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 20: Draymond Green #23 and head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors reacts when Green was ejected from the game after receiving his second technical foul against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at Chase Center on March 20, 2022 in San Francisco, California.
The Warriors aren’t heading into the playoffs as the favorite to win the NBA title, but discounting Golden State’s chances would be a serious mistake.
This season’s version of the Warriors isn’t going to conjure up images of the team that annihilated the rest of the NBA a few seasons ago. That doesn’t mean Steve Kerr’s current squad can’t make serious noise in this year’s postseason.
Counting out the Warriors’ chances of winning another title would be a big mistake. The NBA remains a star-driven league and Golden State has more than its share of big names. Any team would Steph Curry at the controls has a chance to win any series.
The Warriors aren’t going to be a factor just because of their offensive talisman though. Fans in the Bay should keep a close eye on the following five reasons as hope for Golden State’s chances to bring home another Larry O’Brien trophy.
Looney isn’t an overly valuable regular-season player as a big man that doesn’t really score or protect the rim at a high level. The reason he remains an important cog of Kerr’s rotation is because of the value he can provide in the postseason.
Specifically, Looney still does a terrific job defending low post scorers with his physical frame. That can be really useful against Western Conference teams with dominant centers. Looney’s ability to play respectable defense against stars like Nikola Jokic and Rudy Gobert gives Golden State a meaningful boost in a potential seven-game series.
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