Only two franchises in modern NBA history have ever won three titles in a row, or three peat, as some like to say. The Bulls, led by who most say is the greatest of all time, Michael Jordan, did it twice in the 90s, from 1991-93, and 1996-98. The Lakers, led by perhaps two of the 10-15 greatest players ever in Kobe Bryant or Shaquille O’Neal, did from 2000-02. When the Golden State Warriors open up their season against the Oklahoma City Thunder at home on October 14th, their goal is to become the third.
So, will they in fact join this elusive club, and make their legend that much more extraordinary? You’d better believe it.
The Golden State Warriors, in their last season at Oracle Arena before moving across the Bay to San Francisco, will win their third consecutive NBA title.
Led by their two MVP award winners, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, as well as All Stars Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and new acquisition Demarcus Cousins when he returns from his Achilles injury, the Warriors will throw lineup onto the floor that no one can match up with.
But, like any perennial champion, the Warriors will have teams vying to knock them off their throne. Teams will be standing in their way, impeding their path to history. First and foremost, the Boston Celtics pose the biggest threat to the Warriors dominance. The Celtics, without perhaps their two best players, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, got within a game of the NBA Finals last season. Now, their go to lineup of Irving, Hayward, Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, and standout star rookie Jayson Tatum can match up as well as any lineup in the league can with the Warriors now 5 all stars. Not to mention the Houston Rockets, who were a game away from eliminating the Warriors in last year’s Western Conference Finals, and who would tell you they would have if Chris Paul hadn’t gotten hurt. Their grittiness, defense, shooting, and their CP3-James Harden led playmaking give them a shot in any series against the Warriors. However, neither one of these teams have enough to beat the Warriors in a seven game series.
But this wouldn’t be a Warriors preview without mentioning Lebron James. Or “King James” as some would laughably tell you. But undoubtedly one of the greatest players of all time, Lebron, after losing three of the last four Finals to the Warriors, is now in their own division, primed and ready with an up and coming Lakers squad. Anytime Lebron is on the same court as the Warriors, it’s must see TV. Even if we know it’s going to end with Lebron coming out on the losing end, like he usually does.
So my official prediction?
Warriors go 66-16.
They’ll beat the Nuggets in 4, the Jazz in 5, the Rockets in 6, and then Steph Curry, in the last ever game at Oracle, will drop 40 in Game 7 on the Celtics to close out the threepeat for the Warriors.
Talk about a mic drop, a storybook ending. I’m calling it now.
Book it.
Straight Shuster 