Can the Golden State Warriors really repeat as champs?

While the Golden State Warriors were able to secure their fourth NBA title in the last eight seasons, they enjoyed a favorable road to an eventual Finals matchup with the Boston Celtics.

The Warriors practically steamrolled the Western Conference; their only real competition was a second-round clash with the Memphis Grizzlies. However, two out of their three inner-conference foes dealt with severe misfortune in the form of team-altering injuries.

The Golden State Warriors will undoubtedly look to repeat as NBA Champions this upcoming season, but is it a practical goal for the Dubs?

The Denver Nuggets were perhaps the single most unlucky team in the NBA this past season. Without Jamal Murray, who suffered a torn ACL towards the end of the 2020-21 campaign, their title hopes were all but dashed from the beginning of the season. Add to that the loss of Michael Porter Jr. and the Nuggets stood no chance against the Dubs.

The Grizzlies appeared to be a formidable second-round opponent – a well-rounded squad armed with the grit, youth, and nerve to match the Warriors’ experience and intensity. That was until Ja Morant went down with a knee injury that would sideline him for the rest of the series, giving Golden State the upper hand.

The Mavericks are the one exception here as they remained mostly intact throughout the postseason. That said, they simply lacked the firepower to hang with the champs.

For the Warriors to secure their fifth championship this year, they will need to buckle in because the Western Conference is shaping up to be a mob of contenders.

The Warriors’ ability to duplicate their success will depend on a few things, but at the top of that list is the progression of their young prospects. Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, and James Wiseman are each primed to take on huge roles off the Golden State bench this year.

They’ve all had their moments and shown their flashes, but this is a gigantic step forward for the young trio.

James Wiseman, who missed the entirety of last season with a knee injury, will be entrusted to back up Kevon Looney at the center spot. If Wiseman can find his footing with the second unit and establish a solid connection with Jordan Poole, it could further solidify Golden State’s depth.

Both Moody and Kuminga played well with limited minutes as rookies but were granted the leeway to make their “rookie mistakes.” They will have far less room for error in their sophomore season.

The Warriors’ prosperity will also hinge on the consistent play of their nucleus. Steph Curry is turning 35 in March, and Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are each 32 years old. Father time remains undefeated so it will be crucial for the Warriors’ core to stave off any natural regression.

Steph Curry’s mid-season shooting slump raised a lot of eyebrows last year, many even questioning if the All-time great was beginning his decline. Both Green and Thompson ran into some turbulence of their own as the season wore on.

Ups and downs are to be expected but if any of the three experience a significant dip in production, it could spell real trouble.

This year’s Western Conference is like a scene out of the movie Gladiator with each contender equipped with the star power and depth to slaughter their competition. For the Warriors to retain their spot at the top, they will need cohesion, continuity, and just a bit of luck.