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The 2018-19 NBA Playoffs will be the Golden State Warriors biggest challenge to date

By Tony Pesta

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 2: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 2, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 2: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 2, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors have overcome great obstacles during their reign over the league. The 2018-19 NBA Playoffs will be their biggest challenge to date.

Every NBA dynasty has had to overcome a great deal of adversity to reach greatness. For the Golden State Warriors, they have had a relatively easy path to the top. This season, things will be much tougher than in years past.

Aside from a few teams, the Warriors haven’t had a worthy opponent challenge them in the playoffs since they began their run in the 2014-15 season. In the last four years, the only teams that have forced the Dubs to face elimination are the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers.

When the Warriors fell short in the 2016 NBA Finals, most people would consider that a major turning point for the franchise. For most dynasties, the team would have had to muster up a ton of energy to regain and look for revenge in the next season.

In the case of the Warriors, they went out and signed the second best player in the league, Kevin Durant. This made it much easier for the Dubs to get back on their feet and brush off the sting of the 2016 Finals.

Still, the Warriors have earned everything they have won. A gritty performance in the 2018 Western Conference Finals in which they stormed back from being down 2-3 to the Houston Rockets should more than prove how resilient this squad is.

However, they will be put to the test this season more than ever before. The 2019 playoffs is going to be one for the books. Multiple teams in both conferences have made huge improvements and are ready to compete for a title.

In the West, you have teams such as the Denver Nuggets, Thunder, and Rockets. All of these teams have deep lineups and a hunger to reach the Finals. The Warriors will have to face off against one of these teams at some point.

Furthermore, the Eastern Conference is arguably the best it has been this entire decade. The Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors all have legitimate chances at winning a championship.

The field is more talented than ever. Golden State is going to be challenged multiple times in this postseason. If they manage to emerge victoriously, it will be their greatest accomplishment to date.

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