The Golden State Warriors will feel confident heading into next season with three All-Stars still on their roster.
So much has happened since Kevin Durant tore his Achilles in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals. This single injury ended the Golden State Warriors dynasty and had a ripple effect across the league that has changed the entire landscape of the NBA as we know it.
The Warriors finished last season with the worst record in the association. Their underwhelming performance without Durant, Klay Thompson, or Stephen Curry earned them the highest chance of winning the NBA Draft Lottery – where they ultimately landed the No. 2 pick.
With a cast of unproven role players such as Andrew Wiggins, Marquese Chriss and Eric Paschall in line to play significant minutes next season – it’s understandable why some would be worried about the Dubs. After all, the competition in the league has seemingly grown stronger while the Warriors have regressed in many ways.
Still, the Warriors arguably have the most loaded roster of any other team. Curry, Thompson and Green could all realistically be All-Stars next season. Compare this to last season, where no team had more than two All-Stars on the same roster and we can see how the Dubs have an advantage.
The superteam era is gone. Most competitive teams in the league have a star duo and a few strong supporting members. The Dubs could be the only team with a big three and a semi-reliable bench.
Curry is in the top tier of NBA players. At his best, he could very well compete for another MVP. This puts the Warriors in a great position to battle with any opponent in the playoffs. Reunite him with his running mate, Thompson, and you have one of the best duos in the league.
As for Green, he has all the motivation in the world to bounce back strong. The former Defensive Player of the Year can be a game-changer with his all-around talents and if he is able to return to form, the Warriors will be a scary team to face.
Much of their success will rely on how trustworthy their supporting cast can be. A failed season from Wiggins would drastically hurt their chances at a title. Nonetheless, they have to feel optimistic knowing that they are the only team in the NBA with three distinguished All-Star players.