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5 teams that can knock off the Golden State Warriors in 2017

By Charles Rahrig V

April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and forward Wesley Johnson (33) celebrate the 102-81 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and forward Wesley Johnson (33) celebrate the 102-81 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 9, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) congratulates guard Damian Lillard (0) after making a basket over Golden State Warriors in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) congratulates guard Damian Lillard (0) after making a basket over Golden State Warriors in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Portland Trail Blazers

Make no mistake about it, the Portland Trail Blazers winning a game against the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs was no fluke. If it weren’t for a crazy outburst by Stephen Curry in Game 4 on the road and a big performance in Game 5, it was a series that might have gone six or seven games.

Sure, Curry didn’t play in the game that the Trail Blazers picked up their win and sure, they defeated the Los Angeles Clippers without Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, but the Trail Blazers showed that they have the right build of players to succeed in today’s NBA.

With Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum proving to be one of the best back courts in the NBA, the Trail Blazers have a duo of great players that they can build around for many years to come and with the more playoff runs that they go on, the team is only going to get better.

For the Trail Blazers to take that next step and knock off the Warriors, they just need their young players to continue to grow, maybe add a little bit more size up front and continue to gel as a team.

The job that Terry Stotts has done with his squad is incredible and when playing a team like the Warriors, the Trail Blazers have players of their own that can make the ridiculous shots to match Golden State’s absurdity.

Seeing these two play in the playoffs again would be a treat for all basketball fans.

Next: 2. San Antonio Spurs

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