Golden State Warriors: Comparisons To Other Contenders

1 of 7

Apr 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) after a foul is called during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second quarter in game five of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Barring a change of heart, the Golden State Warriors will not land Kevin Love. It seems as if a three-team trade that will send Love to Cleveland is in the works as the Cavaliers have made highly touted rookie Andrew Wiggins available. Any trade including Wiggins won’t be official for a while as he can only be traded 30 days after signing.

The Warriors are adamantly refusing to ship Klay Thompson to Minnesota effectively ending their chances at acquiring Love. Minnesota has made it clear Thompson must be involved in the trade.

Live Feed

Cavaliers legend reveals he would be open to returning to Cleveland /

King James Gospel

UCLA Athletics: Good Things happening in Westwood Go Joe Bruin

3 Heat players who can't be traded until Dec. 15 All U Can Heat

What the Miami Heat’s best lineup combinations tell us about this season All U Can Heat

Heat in 5: Duncan Robinson, the driver, Jimmy's back, and much more All U Can Heat

2 Heat players whose stock is rising, 1 whose stock is falling All U Can Heat

However, even without Love, Golden State’s roster is still impressive. Backed by one the association’s best backcourts with Stephen Curry and Thompson, the Warriors will still be in the middle of the playoff picture in the tough Western Conference. Along with Andrew Bogut, all-stars Andre Iguodala and David Lee round out the starting lineup.

Just as last season, Golden State’s starting five is one of the league’s best. In the past, the problem was their bench (and Mark Jackson’s interesting hockey-style substitutions prompting them to sign Steve Kerr). Even without the luxury of any draft picks, the Warriors addressed those needs with the signing of guard Shaun Livingston and ex-Warrior Brandon Rush.

Golden State’s bench is more complete that it has been in a long time; multiple players can influence any game at any time. The aforementioned Livingston and Rush can play in the backcourt, with Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green, Marreese Speights, and Festus Ezeli sharing time at the other positions.

The Warriors’ coaching staff isn’t too shabby either. Head coach Kerr made it his duty to surround himself with other experienced coaches, including Alvin Gentry who will act as somewhat of an offensive coordinator.

Let’s see how Golden State stacks up against other Western Conference contenders.

Home/Golden State Warriors