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 15, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11), center Andrew Bogut (12) and guard Stephen Curry (30) on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets 123-101. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11), center Andrew Bogut (12) and guard Stephen Curry (30) on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets 123-101. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Injuries

Stephen Curry’s ankle worries seem to be a distant memory now. Curry started 80 games last season for Golden State. His run-and-gun buddy, Klay Thompson, started in 77 games. Draymond Green started in 79 games.

The point is the Warriors were unbelievably healthy last season. That doesn’t happen often. Injuries are a great team’s worst nightmare.

Andrew Bogut has already missed some time with a concussion. Rookie forward Kevon Looney is going to miss some significant time after undergoing offseason hip surgery.

Even Steve Kerr’s durability is questionable after offseason back surgeries that resulted in complications, which required Kerr to get some more rest. But it can be tough to play without your head coach — even if you’re a well-oiled machine like the Warriors are.

Nothing against Luke Walton, but he’s not Kerr.

Like it or not, injuries happen, and they happen a lot What happens if Bogut goes down? Without David Lee, Golden State will have to rely more heavily on Festus Ezeli to step up down low.

If Curry gets hurt, all hell will break loose. But at least the Warriors could hold over with Shaun Livingston and Leandro Barbosa for a while if that happened. If Draymond Green is injured, that’s when Golden State would find itself in trouble.

Green finished second in the voting for Defensive Player of the Year last year, and many believe he should have won it. He’s big enough to guard power forwards on the block, and he’ quick enough to keep up with small forwards on the perimeter. Green’s agility and versatility help the Warriors switch smoothly on defense, and that frustrates a lot of teams. An injury to Green might be the worst situation for Golden State.

Next: 4. James Harden

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