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NBA Season Preview 2017-18: 5 teams that can beat the Warriors

By Luke Norris

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets and Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers shake hands before the game on December 19, 2015 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets and Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers shake hands before the game on December 19, 2015 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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With the 2017-18 NBA season about to get underway, here’s a look at five teams with the best chance to dethrone the Golden State Warriors.

As the 2017-18 NBA season approaches, the Golden State Warriors are the clear favorites to win yet another title and it’s pretty easy to see why.

Over the past three seasons, the Warriors have an average record of 69-13, including an NBA-record 73 wins in the 2015-16 season. Oddly enough, that’s the only season of the three that they didn’t win the NBA Championship. They overcame that seven-game Finals loss to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers by going 67-15 last season, winning the Pacific Division for the third consecutive year and capped it off by rolling through the playoffs, winning their first 15 postseason matchups before finally losing in Game 4 of the NBA Finals to the Cavs.

Of course, they won Game 5 back at Oracle Arena to win their second title in three years and there’s no reason to believe that the Warriors can’t make it three titles in four years. All of the major pieces are back in place. Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry is arguably the greatest shooter in the history of the league. 2017 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant has secured his position as one of the best players in the world and their third offensive option, Klay Thompson, would be the first option on so many teams throughout the NBA.

What makes things even worse for the rest of the league is that while their offense is the most potent in NBA history, their defense, led by Draymond Green, is one of the best in the league as well. How exactly are you supposed to combat a team like that. Sure, teams might get a game from Golden State here or there but how are you supposed to beat them four times in seven games? The real answer here is that nobody probably will. However, it’s always nice to have some fun and look at some possibilities, especially given how some teams have added new pieces in an attempt to dethrone the defending champs.

Let’s take a look at five teams that might have a shot of beating the Golden State Warriors come playoff time.