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Who are the Warriors’ biggest threats in West?

By Carlos Murillo

May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) is defended by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the fourth quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors won 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) is defended by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the fourth quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors won 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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4. Utah Jazz

Golden State Warriors
Mar 30, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

The Golden State Warriors could run into some trouble facing a newcomer in the playoff picture.

Projected starting lineup: George Hill/Joe Johnson/Gordon Hayward/Derrick Favors/Rudy Gobert

Again, another team that isn’t likely to crack the top five or six in the Western Conference.

But the Utah Jazz are good and seem ready to take that next step. They’ve had a great offseason, acquiring three solid veterans. They traded for George Hill and Boris Diaw and signed Joe Johnson. Those two, alongside Gordon Hayward, Rudy Gobert, and Derrick Favors will give the Jazz a strong starting five.

Unlike Oklahoma City, Utah has a lot of depth, especially at the guard spots. Alec Burks will be returning from injury and head coach Quin Snyder can play with some combination of Dante Exum, Shelvin Mack, and Raul Nieto behind Hill.

They boast one of the best front courts in the entire conference. Gobert and Favors can really play basketball. They’re athletic and can do a lot of things right on both ends. The “Stifle Tower” has given Stephen Curry and co. trouble in the past.

Next: Should Dubs hang up 73-9 banner?

Health and managing expectations will be their biggest obstacles in the upcoming season. A lot of their key players have struggled to stay on the floor which is problematic for any team, but especially for one that is trying to build something and establish continuity.

The Jazz are no longer just an up-and-coming team; they’ve been that. They’ll be looking to shed that label and become a playoff team. The Warriors will likely lock up the top seed in the West. If the Jazz can sneak into that 8th seed, then we might have a very competitive first round on our hands.

Next: A playoff backcourt

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