Top 5 Teams that have a CHANCE to Dethrone the Warriors

                           

                        Let’s be real, There is no NBA team capable of actually beating the Warriors. Steph Curry is still hitting half court three-pointers. Klay Thompson will continue to score an absurd amount of points in a single quarter. Draymond Green is still a defensive juggernaut with an all-around offensive skill set. Worst of all the raining finals MVP Kevin Durant is still as dominant as ever. This 2017-18 season the Warriors roster added a little swag to it with the addition of Nick Young, Omar Casspi, and upcoming rookie Jordan Bell, while still maintaining their vital bench players Shaun Livingston and resigning of Andre Iguadola. This Warriors team  on paper is virtually unstoppable, but this year the Warriors have some tough competition with the various amount newly assembled super teams. The real question is who will dethrone the Warriors when it counts?

                          5.Houston Rockets- One of the  many newly assembled super team produced by the Warriors dominance. With the addition of arguably the best natural point guard in NBA in Chris Paul, combined with the runner up for MVP in James Harden. These two quickly rose to the top for best back court in the NBA. The Houston Rockets are known for the insane amount of three pointers they attempt. 54% of shots the Rockets attempt is a three-pointer. This team has more shooters than the US army with the various offensive weapons they have in their arsenal. While putting points on the board will never be their problem, they were thought to be a defensive liability but are a top 5 defensive team. Through the first 26 games of the season the Rockets hold an impressive 22-4 record. While Chris Paul has been sidelined with a left knee contusion, Harden has lead his Rockets to significant wins over the Warriors, and Cavaliers averaging 30ppg 10apg and 4.9rpg. The Beard has made it evident so far he will be your 2017-18 league MVP. With both Chris Paul and James Harden in the starting lineup this Houston rockets team remain undefeated. Could the D’Antoni experiment be a success?

                          4.San Antonio Spurs- Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs have found the fountain of youth with how they are still getting valuable minutes out of both Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker. This Spurs team have been without Kawai Leonard until Last night and have gone 18-9 without him. Lamarcus Aldridge has been displaying his talents of late and with the Brilliance of Coach Popovich this team has been able to win games without their superstar. This Spurs team may have been able to awaken Lamarcus Aldridge, who is now averaging 22ppg and 8rpg. Now have that Kawai Leonard is back would this team be able to go toe to toe with the Golden State Warriors? Tony Parker is now in his 17^th NBA season and Manu Ginobli is 40 years old in his 15^th season, even 37 year old Pau Gasol isn’t what he use to be. These key guys are past their prime and would not be able to keep up with the fire power that the Warriors possess. It would be like bringing a knife to a gun fight...You are just not going to win.

                          3.Oklahoma City Thunder- This OK3 “Super Team” experiment has been filled with highs and lows through 27 games ultimately resulting in a subpar 13-14 Record. Who would have thought offense would be the problem with three of the most prolific scorers in the game. Unfortunately this overly hyped “Big 3” have not found a way to effectively share the basketball amongst themselves to win games although they are amongst the top 3 teams in the league in defense. There are still 55 game left in the Season to figure it out, but with the  February 21^st  trade deadline approaching this puts pressure on Billy Donovan their Head Coach and the whole  Oklahoma City Thunder organization. There either needs to be a more effective coach leading this team. (I heard David Fizdale has some free time on his hands.) There needs to be a lineup change or one of the Big 3 in OKC needs to be shipped out of Chesapeake Arena before it is too late. Currently Carmelo Anthony is averaging 18ppg and 6.3rpg, Paul George is averaging 20ppg 5.8 rpg and 2.4 spg . Russell Westbrook is averaging 23ppg 9.1rpg and 9.8 apg. With a defining win over the Warriors already, this team may be built for the playoffs rather than the regular season. Flashing back to last year of the first round of the playoffs, where the 8^th seeded bulls took the 1^st seed Celtics to 7 games due to the Veterans that they had. It all comes down to does this Thunder team have what it takes?   

                          2.Cleveland Cavaliers- Remember when I said that the Spurs had found the fountain of youth ? Yeah, LeBron James takes his ice baths in that fountain. LeBron in his 15^th year in the NBA and at 32 years of age has led this Cleveland Cavaliers team to a 20-8 record. James is still without both of his point guards Derrick Rose and Isaiah Thomas but he has played his best season so far. King James has shown age is just a number as he is shooting from outside like LaMelo Ball and is still throwing it down in the paint like Zion Williamson. LeBron has been a jack of all trades this season averaging 28ppg 9.0apg and 8rpg. Not bad for a 32 year old right ? Isaiah Thomas is scheduled to return in January and once this Cleveland Cavaliers team is at full health they are the favorites to dethrone the Golden State Warriors.

                          1.Golden State Warriors- when one has reached true excellence, you are only competing with yourself. The combination of Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, you will not win with whoever you put on that court. The Warriors will outscore you and shut you down at the same time. This team is iconic and unstoppable, but the only way for this team to be beat is if they collapse amongst themselves. Whether it may be chemistry issues or dealing with injuries. It may be a disagreement on who takes the last shot in critical moments of a game or if you deserve a larger role on the team. Both Kevin Durant and Steph Curry have both dealt with nagging injuries in the past. Some believe an injury even caused one of these two to blow a 3-1 lead in the 2016 finals but ill leave that up to you. An injury could put the end to something special. Will the Golden State Warriors win the 2018 NBA Championship ?