Klay Thompson-less Golden State Warriors will be better than expected

There’s no denying that the beginning of the season could be a struggle for the Golden State Warriors, but let’s not act like they’re incapable of competing.

The Golden State Warriors are not expected to be a top-five team in the West without Klay Thompson although they added 23-year-old All-Star D’Angelo Russell this offseason. As many know, Thompson’s return isn’t expected till after the All-Star break.

This absence is due to the torn ACL Thompson sustained after going up for a dunk on Danny Green in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals. This was a franchise-altering play for the Warriors and could’ve ultimately cost them their third-straight Finals.

However, it did catapult them into one of the most hectic offseason’s in team history. That offseason included the departure of four-time scoring champion Kevin Durant and the addition of Russell along with the re-signing of Draymond Green and Thompson.

The Warriors core is now locked up for the next three seasons, solidfying their dynasty for at least the next few years. That said, ESPN.com’s power rankings, which came out on July 15, had the Warriors outside the top 10.

Think about that. Outside of the top 10. It feels like a decade since we’ve heard those words.

They put both the Trail Blazers, who the Warriors swept in the 2019 Western Conference Finals without Kevin Durant, in the top 10 along with the Toronto Raptors, who lost superstar Kawhi Leonard.

That’s just flat out disrespectful.

This certainly has something to do with Klay’s injury. While that will be impactful on the team’s record prior to the All-Star break, the Warriors should still be a top-ten if not top-five team without Thompson.

Curry and Russell, who would’ve combined for nearly 50 points if they were on the same team last season, will lead the charge offensively with Green anchoring the defense.

Newcomers Alec Burks, Willie Cauley-Stein and Glenn Robinson III will also have a chance to revive their respective careers and make Golden State a top Western Conference team.

All three of them were highly underrated in the free agent market, one reason Golden State took a low-risk opportunity on them and another reason why they should be prepared to make a difference on a team that’s reached five-straight Finals.

Those three plus Looney and the dynamic backcourt duo should help the team be at least capable of taking down their top opponents in both conferences. They will be a top-ten team.