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NBA: Separating Championship Contenders From Pretenders

By Clint Pemberton

Sep 26, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0), forward LeBron James (23) and guard Kyrie Irving (2) pose for a photo during media day at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0), forward LeBron James (23) and guard Kyrie Irving (2) pose for a photo during media day at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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November 5, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 121-104. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 5, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 121-104. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Golden State Warriors 12-2
ORating 108.7 (9th), DRating 97.7 (1st), Point Differential +10.9 (2nd), SOS 15th, Title odds +1200

The Golden State Warriors underachieved relative to their talent last year and it cost Mark Jackson his head coaching job. Early returns show incumbent rookie head coach Steve Kerr is well on the way to correcting the problems. The Warriors lockdown defense has not only returned, but improved, currently ranking first in the NBA and conceding 8.3 points less than the league average.

Led by Steph Curry, who is a legitimate MVP candidate, the Warriors offensive output is starting to mirror the talent and depth on the floor, now ranking ninth in the league. With the ball now flying around the court (2nd in assists per game) and the Splash Brothers on the end of it, the Warriors are the best shooting team in the league with an eFG% of 55.2%. If the Warriors can reduce their third league-leading turnover percentage of 16.4% lookout.

The Warriors have not faced a cup-cake schedule like some on this list, however neither has it been a murders row, ranking 15th overall; in their favour they have played eight of 14 on the road, going 7-1 in those games. The Warriors have destroyed the lesser-lights, sporting a perfect 7-0 record against teams below .500, nine wins by more than ten points and a perfect 7-0 versus sub .500 teams.

This team has championship contender written all over it, passing both the eye-test and the numbers test; one of only four teams with both a top-ten offense and defense, their point differential, the second best in the league. I am picking the Warriors to not only contend, but to win it all.

Status – Contender

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