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7 Things Golden State Warriors Fans Should Look Forward to in 2016

By Michael Shultz

Dec 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors forward James Michael McAdoo (20) high fives his teammates during a Houston Rockets timeout in the second half at Toyota Center. The Warriors won 114 to 110. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors forward James Michael McAdoo (20) high fives his teammates during a Houston Rockets timeout in the second half at Toyota Center. The Warriors won 114 to 110. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 5, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors small forward Draymond Green (23) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors small forward Draymond Green (23) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Better Competition (Spurs, Thunder, Cavaliers, Hawks)

Many pundits have pointed out the Warriors have had a relatively soft schedule, which has led to their incredible run. This is partly true with the Warriors not facing the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder or the Atlanta Hawks and facing the Cleveland Cavaliers only once. In the team’s final 50 games, 10 will be against this competition.

It will start on road on Martin Luther King’s Day in Cleveland with the Cavaliers looking for revenge against the defending champs but they are probably not the Warriors stiffest competition. That title goes to the Spurs. Those same pundits think the Spurs, not the Warriors, are the best team in the NBA.

Their first meeting will be in late January, which will be a great test for both teams and probable preview of the Western Conference Finals. The Spurs may be the Warriors kryptonite because they are one of the few teams that play inside-out, meaning they rely more on their half court game and post play then taking lots of threes. The Spurs are best defensive team as well and may be able to combat the Warriors “small ball” lineup with their big lineup. This January clash should be the most anticipated matchup of the season. They will face each other three times after that but the remaining matchups will occur at the end of the season.

The Warriors will face the Thunder three times in 2016 as well. The Thunder are led by two of the best players in the league, Russell Westbrook and Durant. The Thunder are an offensive juggernaut but play lots of isolation play with Westbrook and Durant getting the bulk of the shots. This may be the only team in the NBA that can beat the Warriors in a shootout but the Thunder are only an average defensive team.

The Hawks have been good for a few years and play a very similar game to the Spurs and Warriors, using ball movement to get easy shots. They do not have a superstar on their team and do not have the scoring potential the Warriors employ. The Hawks are among the best teams in the East but unlike last season, should be no match for this season’s Warriors team.

Next: Breaking the Chicago Bulls Record

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