Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Golden State Warriors: Pacific Division Preview

By Derek Tahara

Jan 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives to the basket against Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives to the basket against Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Golden State Warriors
Feb 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) defends Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) as he drives to the basket in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Clippers

Let’s move onto the Warriors’ other SoCal rivals in the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers should be the biggest threat in the Pacific Division for the Warriors, since they have stars in Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. They also have sharpshooter JJ Redick and super-sub and former Warrior, Jamal Crawford.

This was the same Clipper team that “blew away” Kevin Durant and his free agent meeting with them, but almost immediately was ruled out in signing to come to the City of Angels. Despite the Clippers never making it to the conference finals or finals, they still remain a legitimate threat to the Warriors with the playmaking of Paul and high-flying of Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. The hot streaks of Crawford and Redick and also former Warrior and fan favorite Marreese Speights should help their bench tremendously.

The Warriors’ rivalry has been heated the past few years with players like Draymond Green and former Warrior, Andrew Bogut getting involved into scuffles with Griffin, Jordan and other members of the Clippers team.

With the talent of both teams, I could see the Warriors splitting the season series over the Clippers or winning three out of four against them. The Warriors have cruised against them the past few meetings with their rivals, but that could change with one Paul lob and one monster jam by Griffin.

I expect the Clippers to be 57-25 by the time the regular season ends and be the third seed in the West behind the Warriors and Spurs.

Home/Warriors News