Why the Warriors Should Want to Face the Thunder in the Playoffs
By Ben Pickman
Earlier this week the Golden State Warriors became the first team in the Western Conference to clinch a spot in the 2014-15 NBA playoffs.
The Warriors have run away with the one seed in the Western Conference and currently have more than a seven-game lead on the Grizzlies.
The eight seed, though, is currently up in the air with four or five teams in the midst. The Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks have a five and a half game lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder for the eight seed. The Spurs have only a four and a half game lead over the Thunder, but are 8-2 in their past 10 games and of late, have been playing their best basketball of the season.
That realistically leaves two teams competing for the eight seed: the Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans.
So of these two teams, which team would the Warriors rather play?
Conventional wisdom would say that the Warriors would rather play the New Orleans Pelicans, but at this point the Warriors would be better off playing the Thunder.
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If healthy the Thunder are easily the tougher matchup. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka might be the best three player core in the NBA, but the health of each player caveat to that claim.
Durant has now missed more than one month with his second foot surgery of the season. He has played a career low 27 games at this juncture in the season, and though Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks has said that Durant is day-to-day, Durant soreness continues to linger, which is a major concern. He is actually doing less on-court work this week than he did last week.
Just this past week Thunder power forward Serge Ibaka went under the knife due to lingering soreness in his right knee. After initially missing three games due to soreness, Ibaka had arthroscopic surgery this past Tuesday. Reports are that Ibaka will likely miss the rest of the regular season as arthroscopic knee surgeries usually require a four to six-week rehab.
Feb 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) rebound against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
As a result the Thunder are a one-man team. And while Westbrook is a legitimate MVP canidate, one player will not beat five. The Thunder are currently starting Andre Roberson, Kyle Singler, Nick Collison and Enes Kanter alongside Westbrook and even Westbrook is capable of shutting down Stephen Curry, the Warriors have the advantage at the other four positions on the floor.
The Pelicans also have their own MVP candidate, Anthony Davis. Davis has emerged as the best power forward in basketball and as the next face of the NBA.
While the Pelicans roster is not completely healthy either — Jrue Holiday has been out for more than a month with a stress fracture in his left leg — the Pelicans have the ability to give the Warriors problems because of their length. Tyreke Evans is currently starting at the point guard position and due to his length, could give Curry problems. Omir Asik and Anthony Davis are two legitimate rim protectors that could affect countless shots. Ryan Anderson is a true stretch four and if played at the small forward position could make Harrison Barnes less effective.
The Warriors have defeated the Pelicans twice this season, once in a blowout and once in overtime. The Pelicans travel to the Warriors tonight in what could potentially be a postseason preview.
Back on Dec. 14th, New Orleans tested the Warriors without Davis. Evans scored 34 points and pulled in eight rebounds against the Dubs. Holiday tallied 30 points and dished out nine assists as well. Plug in a healthy Davis and the Warriors would likely have lost that game.
Because of the Thunder’s health problems, OKC is actually a better potential matchup for the Warriors, but if OKC regains their possible championship form that they achieved three seasons ago, then the Warriors could be in trouble in round one.