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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October 27, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) dribbles the basketball against New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham (44) during the third quarter 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 forward Draymond Green (23) dribbles the basketball against New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham (44) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 111-95. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Teams raise their level of play against the champs

Winning an NBA championship is extremely difficult to do, but winning a second-straight championship is astronomically more difficult. The Warriors are no longer just another horse in the race.

They are now the defending champs. Every single team — no matter who — will bring their best every night.

For other contenders, it’ll be a chance to prove to themselves they can beat Golden State. For the teams in the middle of the pack, beating the Warriors could be the boost they need to make a playoff push.

And for the bottom dwellers, a win against the champs would mean hope for the players, the management, and the fans. Plus, it’s always fun to have bragging rights.

Think about the types of teams that repeat as champions. Repeating takes a duo of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. It takes a tandem of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. It takes a dream from Hakeem Olajuwon.

Not even Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs have been able to win back-to-back titles. Adjustments are made. Players go from playing hard to playing mad.

Again, this doesn’t mean that the Warriors can’t win another 60 games this season. It’s certainly possible, but it’s not going to be the same kind of challenge that it was last year. T

Aside from the Boston Celtics team that won eight titles from 1959 to 1966 — because that’s just ridiculous domination — there have only been 10 teams that won two-straight championships. Sure, some of them won more than two in a row. But again, those are the teams that have reached legendary status.

Next: 8. Los Angeles Clippers

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