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The Golden State Warriors are going to shock the world again

By Tony Pesta

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 27: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at ORACLE Arena on December 27, 2018 in Oakland, California. 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 27: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at ORACLE Arena on December 27, 2018 in Oakland, California. 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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After a hectic 2019 NBA offseason, the Golden State Warriors have found themselves in a familiar position.

Five consecutive trips to the NBA Finals. Multiple broken records in the regular season and playoff records. Three championships, two MVP winners and a DPOY. These are some of the things the Golden State Warriors have accomplished in the last five years. Still, they remain severely underrated.

Right now, the Warriors are being projected as one of the worst competitive teams in the Western Conference. Some analysts believe they will miss the playoffs entirely, while most others have them ranked anywhere from fifth to eighth in the Western standings.

This is largely due to two reasons: Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson. Durant, obviously, left the team in free agency this summer. As for Thompson, he is nurturing a torn ACL that he suffered in the NBA Finals. With these two stars dismissed, many fans are questioning what the Dubs have left to offer.

Well, let’s start with this: A two-time regular-season MVP and a former Defensive Player of the Year in Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. On top of this, the newly acquired D’Angelo Russell is fresh off his first All-Star season in which he averaged 21.1 points and 7.0 assists a game.

This trio alone is one of the most talented combinations in the league. Curry arguably had one of the best seasons of his entire career last year, while Draymond proved he is still elite by averaging 14.1 points, 11.2 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game in the final two rounds of the 2019 NBA Playoffs.

Then, let’s mention the fact that Thompson will likely be back before the All-Star break. His current time table is 5-7 months with the team leaning towards the later date in his return. This gives Thompson plenty of time to catch stride and heat up for the playoffs. To assume that he will fail to recover from his injury is absurd considering he relies very little on his athleticism to be productive. It is timely placement on defense and shooting that makes Klay so deadly.

This team is still talented and they are arguably deeper than they were last year. Key signings such as Alec Burks, Willie Cauley-Stein and Glenn Robinson III give them a younger and more versatile second unit.

Let’s not forget that this Dubs team pushed the Toronto Raptors to the brink in Game 6, falling one shot short of extending the series to seven games. This was a team that was plagued with injuries and missing both Durant and Thompson in crucial moments. Even with their backs to the wall, they proved to be a championship-contending team.

Next. Warriors are the West's biggest wild card. dark

So while the rest of the world is ruling out the Warriors, the team will silently be preparing to shock the league once again. Being underrated is nothing new to the Dubs. The last time they were being ruled out, they responded with a 73-9 record-breaking season.  Don’t expect the Warriors to roll over and die anytime soon.

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