All we want is a competitive NBA Finals, right? Since Kevin Durant joined the Golden State Warriors, teams have basically folded outside of the Rockets last year. The problem is Houston looks like they only got worse this offseason after losing Trevor Ariza. Klay Thompson was asked who the Warriors biggest threat was this upcoming season. His answer shouldn’t surprise you.
NBC Sports Bay Area had the quote:
“I like the team out East in Boston,” Klay Thompson told ESPN at Warriors Media Day. “They’ve got a very nice young team. One through five — they’ve got a team that kind of mirrors ours, as far as their length, guys who can shoot and play defense, and an unselfish way about things. So I think that they are going to be a team to reckon with.”
If you don’t think the Celtics are the biggest threat, then I’m going to ask you what you’re smoking. Boston’s starting five of Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum, and Al Horford is scary. They also were the number one defense in the league last year and can match Golden State’s length. Add in Boston’s bench with Marcus Smart, Marcus Morris, and Terry Rozier allows the Celtics to take advantage when Golden State’s stars hit the bench for rest. Add in Brad Stevens, the best coach in the NBA and things start to get really interesting.
Boston’s biggest concern really is just staying healthy. As long as that happens, they can be as good as anyone. Golden State’s trump card might be Boogie Cousins. If he recovers from the torn Achilles, then I’m not sure the Warriors are beatable. It’s going to be a fun NBA season!
