The Golden State Warriors have reached the last four NBA finals and have won three out of the four championships. They are looking to become just the third team in NBA history to win three consecutive championships.
The Warriors started the season on a great note but then an injury to Stephen Curry derailed their campaign slightly. They went 5-6 in his absence and looked like an ordinary team. Since then they have improved and played at a high level and the addition of DeMarcus Cousins has removed the only weakness that they had in their starting lineup.
The Warriors are sitting atop the Western Conference with a 45-21 record. They are 1.5 games ahead of the second-placed Denver Nuggets. The Warriors have been the most efficient offensive team again this season. They rank number 1 in points scored, assists, blocks and Field Goal percentage.
Despite all these things, the Warriors have looked far more beatable this year compared to the past four years. Let's have a look at the possible reasons why Golden State Warriors won't win the championship this year:
#3 Lack of harmony within the team
The Warriors are not having the same fun on the court that they used to have in the previous seasons. There has already been an altercation between Draymond and Durant and there are many rumors of Durant leaving at the end of this season doing the rounds. The Warriors don't look like a close-knit unit.
Draymond Green is having a bad year for the team. He used to be a beast on the defensive end and was the facilitator on the offensive end. But this year he is proving to be a huge liability on the offensive end.
Defenders just leave him alone on the perimeter. Teams are essentially using their 5 defenders on the 4 offensive players in Golden State and this is making it difficult for the other superstars to get easy shots.
#2 Poor Display on the Defensive end:
The Golden State Warriors have one of the most potent offensive lineups in the history of the NBA. But in the past few years, they have relied upon their defense to win championships.
The Warriors have been struggling on the defensive end this year. The addition of DeMarcus Cousins hasn't helped. He is a poor defender and the opponents have managed to exploit his lack of defensive awareness, with the Warriors losing six out of their last 10 games.
Draymond Green has also not looked like a defensive leader. He is a former Defensive Player of the Year but has looked a shell of his former self.
The Warriors are not even top 15 in the league when it comes to defensive efficiency. Only 2 teams outside the top 15 in defensive efficiency have won the championship in the last 30 years, Kobe and Shaq's Lakers in 2001 and LeBron's Cavs in 2016.
#1 Strength of their competitors:
The competition around the league has grown so much compared to the previous year. There are some serious teams out there in the Eastern Conference who can challenge the Warriors this season.
The Bucks have been the best team in the NBA this season. Behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is arguably the most dominating player in the league today, they have already embarrassed the Warriors in a blowout win at the Oracle Arena.
The Raptors added Kawhi Leonard and have looked like a viable championship team this year. They have swept the Warriors this season and had blowout wins in both the matches. The 76ers and the Celtics boast a great roster and they also had wins at the Oracle.
The Houston Rockets got to within one game of knocking out the Warriors last season. They have won all three matches against the Warriors this season. With James Harden on an absolute tear, they will fancy their chances.
The Warriors will have a tough time in this year's playoffs. They are still the favorites but there is a far bigger possibility of them getting displaced this year.