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Analyzing Golden State Warriors chance of missing the Playoffs

By Tony Pesta

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 18: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Los Angeles Lakers during a pre-season game on October 18, 2019 at Chase Center in San Francisco, 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 18: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Los Angeles Lakers during a pre-season game on October 18, 2019 at Chase Center in San Francisco, 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors may be on the brink of missing the postseason entirely this year.

It could be the end of an era. Following the enormous loss of Kevin Durant, the Golden State Warriors now face the reality of potentially playing the entire season without Klay Thompson. This puts the Dubs hopes of reaching the playoffs in jeopardy.

Currently, on the roster, Golden State has three All-Stars in Stephen Curry, D’Angelo Russell and Draymond Green. Though these three are talented enough to compete with anyone, the talent drop off is significant.

The Warriors will be desperately searching for someone to step up as a leader in the second unit. The bench is going to struggle and finding a reliable fifth starter will be a task of its own. It’s safe to say the Dubs dynasty has never been more vulnerable.

The Western Conference is no joke. Adding any major injuries, there are at least five teams locked in for a playoff spot.

  • LA Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Houston Rockets
  • Utah Jazz
  • Denver Nuggets

Each one of these organizations is set to compete in the postseason. They are either loaded with star power (Lakers, Rockets), filled with bench depth (Jazz, Nuggets), or both in special cases like the Clippers and Nuggets.

These five teams will certainly be in the postseason. Meanwhile, there are three to four other franchises that will be heavy hitters in the playoff race.

The Portland Trail Blazers are fresh off a trip to the Western Conference Finals and have reloaded with strong pickups in Kent Bazemore and Hassan Whiteside. The Dallas Mavericks have a new star duo with Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis while the San Antonio Spurs haven’t missed the playoffs in over 22 years.

This leaves the Warriors somewhere towards the bottom of the pack, fighting with the Mavericks, Blazers and Spurs for a spot. Don’t sleep on the darkhorse candidates such as the Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans.

The cards are stacked against the Warriors. A realistic goal for them would be to snag the sixth seed and attempt to push their luck as far as possible. However, all it takes is a few games to separate the sixth seed from the ninth in the West.

Next. Warriors: 3 things to watch in the season opener. dark

For this reason, the Warriors are looking at a real chance of missing the playoffs. If competing this season is the ultimate goal, the Dubs will need to treat the regular season with intense focus.

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