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Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
The 2019-2020 NBA season starts October 22nd and to get you ready for tip-off, Off the Glass is previewing all 30 teams. Today we look at the Golden State Warriors.
2018-2019 Record: 57-25, 1st in the Pacific Division. Lost 2-4 to the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Finals
Season Recap: When Kevin Durant joined the Golden State Warriors, every year became the Warriors are going to win barring significant injuries. Well, last season significant injuries had their day. Despite their ability to dispatch the Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers without Durant, they needed him for the Finals. However, Durant played in just one Finals game and was injured severely. In addition to the loss of Durant, the Warriors also lost Klay Thompson to injury and were not able to overcome Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors.
Key Losses: Kevin Durant, F; Andre Iguodala, F; Shaun Livingston, G-F; DeMarcus Cousins, C; Andrew Bogut, C; Quinn Cook, G; Jordan Bell, F-C; Jonas Jerebko, F;
Key Additions: D’Angelo Russell, G; Willie Cauley-Stein, C; Alec Burks, G-F; Glenn Robinson III, F; Marquese Chriss, F;
Preview: The Golden State Warriors are not the favorites to win the title for the first time since 2014-15, when they came out of nowhere to win the title. Klay Thompson is likely to miss the vast majority of the regular season and there is a great deal of speculation that he will not play this season. Whether he returns or not, the Warriors are tasked with trying to stay afloat in a loaded Western Conference. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green are still great players and they are joined by D’Angelo Russell. Russell joins the Warriors after his finest season as a pro in Brooklyn. Curry will be called on to do a great deal this season and it will be interesting to see if he can avoid the minor injuries that he has dealt with over the past two seasons. The Warriors are still a good team as long as they have Curry, but it is hard to know how Russell can fit into the offense and if Green can anchor a noticeably weaker defense for Golden State.
Player to Watch: Stephen Curry, G
Team X-Factor: Wing Defenders
Worst Case Scenario: Stephen Curry deals with nagging injuries and with their lack of depth the Warriors miss the playoffs in a loaded Western Conference.
Best Case Scenario: The Warriors maintain a winning record as Curry and Green have incredible seasons. D’Angelo Russell fits in seamlessly and Klay Thompson returns in time for the playoffs making the Warriors a dark horse contender.
Actual 2019-2020 Prediction: 47-35, 3rd in the Pacific Division