'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQf/2gAIAQEAAAAAiwH/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA/9oACAECEAAAAH//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAE//xAAfEAACAgIBBQAAAAAAAAAAAAACAwEEERIABQYUQaH/2gAIAQEAAT8AvAoeo1WoOE0qVWQe0ECUkUrzvpOM53j3xfbtxqxZ5KR2jbWZLMfOf//EABkRAAEFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgQSI//aAAgBAgEBPwCVm+qH/8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIDEv/aAAgBAwEBPwCCbP/Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2 Other contenders
The Warriors have been excellent during the last four seasons, although they have benefited from a lack of competition. The NBA Finals have proved relatively easy for Steve Kerr's men, as the team have comfortably won three of their four series against the Cavaliers. The Warriors' lone defeat in 2016 was due to their own mistakes.
However, with the Cavs now out of contention, the Warriors could face the much more competitive Toronto Raptors in the 2019 Finals.
The Western Conference is also likely to offer increased resistance to the Warriors this season. The Lakers have added LeBron James, and are looking to partner him with a superstar such as Anthony Davis, while the Thunder look like a contender thanks to the extension of Paul George.
Ultimately, the NBA is becoming stronger than ever, and the Warriors will no longer have the luxury of gliding through the postseason.
