Golden State Warriors: Comparisons To Other Contenders

Portland Trail Blazers

May 14, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers players during a timeout against the San Antonio Spurs in game five of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 104-82. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Projected Starting Lineup

PG: Damian Lillard

SG: Wesley Matthews

SF: Nicolas Batum

PF: LaMarcus Aldridge

C: Robin Lopez

Key Bench Players

Thomas Robinson, Chris Kaman, Dorell Wright and Will Barton.

Head Coach

Terry Stotts, third year in Portland.

Analysis

The Portland Trail Blazers shocked the league by starting as the NBA’s hottest team. They eventually cooled off somewhat, but were able to hang on to the fifth seed in the crowded Western Conference. They matched up against the Houston Rockets and won a thrilling series capped off by Damian Lillard’s magnificent buzzer-beating and series-ending three pointer.

Similar to the Warriors, Portland’s bench held them back. They tried to address that problem with the signings of Chris Kaman and Steve Blake. Frankly, I feel as if those moves weren’t enough. It would hurt Portland if they lost Mo Williams to free agency; he was able to provide energy and scoring off the bench.

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The Warriors and Blazers are very similar. They are young, talented and exciting. Both starting fives are great, but I’d give Golden State the edge when considering the bench. The Warriors’ bench may not be able to score with the best benches in the league, but they sure will be able to defend. I don’t see Portland’s bench doing either.

Terry Stotts has catapulted himself into elite head coach status with his performance last year. Portland has an edge over Kerr’s Warriors there but not enough to compensate for the weaker bench.

I give Golden State the edge here, but it’s close. There is one thing I know, though: a playoff series between these two would be a treat.