Golden State Warriors: 5 reasons they won’t make the NBA Finals

December 10, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr instructs in a team huddle during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 10, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr instructs in a team huddle during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) celebrates after a win against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Warriors 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) celebrates after a win against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Warriors 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

The Gauntlet

We’ve already touched on the simple existence of the San Antonio Spurs, but perhaps a bigger factor is that the Western Conference is just loaded from top to bottom.

Golden State will open with a series against Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans, and frankly, most people (myself included) expect a walkover of sorts. Davis could go crazy in carrying the Pelicans to a win or two, but Golden State is leaps and bounds better, and that shouldn’t be an issue.

With on that on the table, the Dubs would then face the winner of a Portland/Memphis series in round two, with a date looming against the Clippers/Spurs/Rockets/Mavs sub-region champion. Needless to say, that is a much tougher road than anyone in the East will endure, and 7 of the best 9 teams in the NBA reside in the Western Conference.

On a series-by-series basis, the Warriors will be favored, but combining those small leans into winning three straight brawls to reach the Finals is easier said than done.

Next: Depth de-emphasized