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5 Reasons the Golden State Warriors are Championship Contenders

By Mike Ferguson

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after scoring against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after scoring against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Why the Golden State Warriors are legitimate championship contenders this season

We’re a little over one quarter of the way through the 2014-15 NBA season and as most know by now, the Golden State Warriors are owners of the league’s best record. At 21-2, the Warriors are off to the best start in franchise history. Entering the season, many were critical of the team’s decision to dismiss head coach Mark Jackson, but first-year coach Steve Kerr has picked up where Jackson left off and then some.

Golden State has made runs in the playoffs in years past, but the 2014-15 team just feels different. Here are five reasons why the Golden State Warriors are legitimate contenders to win the NBA Finals:

1. They Have a Superstar

With the exception of the 2003-04 Detroit Pistons, every NBA champion since Magic Johnson and Larry Bird entered the league has had a true superstar. Golden State has just that in guard Stephen Curry. The son of former NBA sharp-shooter Dell Curry, Curry has not only blossomed into one of the NBA’s premier scorers, but he truly makes his teammates better. Curry currently ranks fifth in the NBA in scoring, sixth in assists and eighth in steals. Curry averages 23.7 points, 7.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game. With limitless range, Curry is also one of the league’s more clutch players in crunch time.

2. Depth

While Stephen Curry is certainly the face of the Golden State franchise, the Warriors are in no way a one-man show. Even with forward David Lee out, Golden State has five players that average in double-figures scoring and seven that average at least 6.9 points-per-game. Curry and fellow guard Klay Thompson make for a solid 1-2 punch, but having experienced role players and reserves like Andre Iguodala, Marreese Speights, Shaun Livingston and Leandro Barbosa could be huge luxuries come playoff time.

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Mar 28, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) scores a basket between Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) and center Marc Gasol (33) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 100-93. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Defense

Perception among NBA fans sometimes is that the Golden State Warriors win a lot of high-scoring offensive shootouts. While it’s true that the Warriors have little trouble putting the ball in the basket, Golden State is a much better team defensively than they’re given credit for. Last season, the Warriors ranked 10th in the NBA in fewest points allowed, giving up just under 100 per game. This season, they’ve been even better, allowing just 96.8 points per game which is the seventh fewest in the league. Individually, Curry ranks in the top 10 in the NBA in steals while Australian-born center Andrew Bogut is fourth in the league in blocked shots with 2.2 per game. Draymond Green is averaging 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game this season.

4. Ability to Win On the Road

ORACLE Arena remains one of the biggest home court advantages in the NBA and getting home court will be huge for Golden State come playoff time. Where the Warriors have improved this season however, is with their ability to win outside of Oakland. Golden State finished 24-17 away from home last year which is very impressive in the Western Conference, but in 2014-15, the Warriors are a remarkable 13-1 away from home which includes victories over Houston, Dallas, Chicago and Portland.

5. No Real Weaknesses

It seems crazy to think about, but the Golden State Warriors have been thus far and may be the NBA’s most complete team this season. The Warriors rank second in the league in scoring and seventh in fewest points allowed, but Golden State also ranks fourth in the league in rebounding. Speights and Bogut are solid options down low as is David Lee when he returns. The backcourt of Curry and Thompson is one of the best duos in the entire league while Harrison Barnes and Iguodala are a lethal combination of slashers. Green has brought versatility even beyond what was expected of him when he was selected out of Michigan State. As a team, the Warriors also share the basketball very well, ranking fourth in the league in assists.

Next: Who is the greatest player in Golden State Warriors history?

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