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Should the Golden State Warriors fear the Oklahoma City Thunder?

By Nathan Beighle

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 21: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder jocks for a position during the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 21, 2018 at ORACLE Arena 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 21: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder jocks for a position during the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 21, 2018 at ORACLE Arena 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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If there’s one team to worry about in the West outside of the Golden State Warriors, it’s the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team slowly finding their identity.

The Golden State Warriors are still the NBA’s back-to-back champions. This season has been a different story though. They’ve often times looked like a ghost of their championship-winning teams.

That said, not many teams have the pure stardom to out-play the Warriors in a seven-game series. Teams like Houston and Denver might not be able to limit the Dubs stars enough to win four of those games.

However, the team the Warriors should start to worry about is the Oklahoma City Thunder. With two true superstars, OKC is coming into their own and finding their identity in a tough Western Conference.

They also match up with Golden State extremely well.

Paul George has averaged the league’s second-most point since the start of December, and he’s truly become one of the NBA’s best two-way players. While no one can stop Kevin Durant, George should be able to defender him better than almost anyone in the league.

Besides George, OKC has former-MVP Russell Westbrook leading the charge. With Westbrook and Dennis Schroder in the backcourt, OKC can defend Curry with both size and speed. While Westbrook has been inefficient lately, he still finds ways to positively impact the game.

George, Schroder and Westbrook make the Thunder a formidable foe, but it’s Steven Adams that changes the game’s dynamic. His size has a major factor against many opponents this season, and given his peak physical condition, it might be difficult for Boogie, upon his return, to keep up.

The two teams have battled twice this season. Splitting the matchups, they won’t meet for their third and final time until March 16. Currently second in the West, the OKC Thunder should be considered a top threat to the Warriors throne.

Just like always, it’ll take something special to defeat the Warriors in a seven-game series. No one also knows how DeMarcus Cousins will factor into the Dubs array of lineup options as well. Will he return to his superstar form? If he does, the NBA can kiss this season goodbye.

dark. Next. Warriors: 7 blockbuster trades for Anthony Davis

Unlike the last few seasons, the Warriors will have several capable opponents in the Western and Eastern Conferences this season.

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