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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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2. San Antonio Spurs

Golden State Warriors
Apr 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) is defended by San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) and small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

In order to claim the West, the Golden State Warriors will have to deal with a perennial contender in the San Antonio Spurs.

Projected starting lineup: Tony Parker/Danny Green/Kawhi Leonard/LaMarcus Aldridge/Pau Gasol

Tim Duncan, the greatest power forward of all-time, recently announced his retirement after dominating the NBA for nearly two decades.

Despite his age and limited minutes, he was still one of the best rim protectors in the league. Instead of sitting back and waiting for their legend to ride off into the sunset, the Spurs got back to work and signed Pau Gasol.

At 36, Gasol is at the end of his career, but he’s still a very effective big on both ends of the floor. Paired with LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio has a slow, but talented frontcourt. And, of course, Kawhi Leonard will look to get even better. He’s the most dominant perimeter defender in the league and his offensive game has gotten better each year.

The Spurs will struggle where Golden State flourishes and that’s in the backcourt. Tony Parker, a guy whose entire game is predicated on speed, is getting older and declining. Danny Green, a 3-and-D player, didn’t do much of either last season. He shot 33 percent from beyond the arc after shooting at least 41 percent in the previous four years.

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The Spurs just know how to win. They’re extremely well-coached with tons of experience. The Warriors were able to finally beat them in San Antonio last year after approximately one million seasons of futility in Texas.

San Antonio still has a few pieces left to add, but if they can make some great decisions (which they always seem to do), they’ll be in position to secure home court advantage in, at least, the first round of the playoffs, barring devastating injuries to either Leonard or Aldridge.

Next: A rivalry renewed?

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