Fansided

Top-10 reasons Golden State Warriors won’t repeat as NBA champions

By Robert Judin

October 27, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates during the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 111-95. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 27, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates during the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 111-95. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 13, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) and coach Byron Scott react during the game against the Sacramento Kings at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) and coach Byron Scott react during the game against the Sacramento Kings at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Last year’s bad teams are better

Obviously, there are plenty of opportunities for roster improvements during the offseason. Teams are free to trade players. There’s the NBA Draft, and then of course free agency is always a wild ride — we saw that unfold with DeAndre Jordan and the Dallas Mavericks.

But there actually were a few teams that, though they were bad last season, got much better during the offseason.

The Western Conference was already a gauntlet, but it just got much tougher.

The Sacramento Kings added Rajon Rondo, who will have a chance to return to his all-star form under new head coach George Karl. Rondo is a top-10 point guard on both ends of the court — when he wants to be. The Kings also added Willie Cauley-Stein via the draft. Cauley-Stein might be the running mate DeMarcus Cousins needed down low in the paint.

The Los Angeles Lakers won’t be a pushover either. Is Kobe Bryant the same player he was five years ago? Of course, he’s not. But don’t forget that Byron Scott has taken two teams to the NBA Finals before. He knows how to coach, and he knows how to manage egos.

With Julius Randle healthy, Jordan Clarkson’s emergence last year, and D’Angelo Russell with the potential to be a star, the Lakers could be on their way back to the playoffs in a few years. And while they’re getting their act together, they’ll still be a tough matchup for anyone as long as Bryant is taking last-second shots.

The Dallas Mavericks also got better by adding Deron Williams. The Phoenix Suns added Tyson Chandler. Will all or any of these teams beat the Warriors? They shouldn’t, but they can.

Next: 9. Teams raise their play against the champs

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