Golden State Warriors Mailbag: Playoff Matchups, Thompson vs. Bogut, Lee
Mar 9, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) with forward Draymond Green (23) center Andrew Bogut (12) and guard Klay Thompson (11) against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Warriors defeated the Suns 98-80. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
@MaggiePilloton If it were up to the Warriors, would they choose to play the Thunder in the first round? Or a different team?
— Nick Hjeltness (@NickHjeltness) March 18, 2015
Ideally, the Warriors would avoid the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round and play the Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, or New Orleans Pelicans instead.
However, the answer to this question slightly depends on the health of Kevin Durant. The Thunder announced recently that Durant could possibly be shut down for the rest of the season and that he has been “removed from all basketball activities” due to his right foot injury.
If Durant is in fact shut down and if the Warriors had to face the Thunder in the first round, then that would obviously be favorable to a first round playoff matchup with the Thunder and with both Durant and Russell Westbrook healthy.
More from Golden State Warriors
- Warriors unlikely to draft Anthony Edwards due to character concerns
- Warriors: September minicamp mimics NBA bubble
- Warriors: Eric Paschall named to NBA All-Rookie first team
- Warriors reportedly eyeing a wing in the 2020 NBA Draft
- Warriors: Is the team destined to trade its No. 2 overall draft pick?
Given how unstoppable Westbrook has been recently and how loud the Thunder’s home crowd is, a first round matchup with the Thunder would still not be ideal though, even with Durant out. The Warriors fear no one though, so if that was the hand that they were dealt, they’d go into the matchup with the confidence that they will win, which they most likely still would.
The Warriors would definitely be in for an easier first round matchup if they faced the Mavericks, Suns, or Pelicans. Honestly, the Warriors have the weapons, the confidence, and the experience that they could beat all three of those teams (and even the Thunder most likely) in a seven-game series. Which one would be the best matchup for them though?
The Warriors have fared well against the Mavericks this season, but Dirk Nowitzki and Rick Carlisle have immense playoff experience and everything can change in the playoffs. Both the Suns and the Pelicans lack playoff experience up and down their rosters, which would make them more favorable matchups.
Between those two, the Warriors would probably pick the Suns, just because of Anthony Davis and his elite level of talent and skills that he brings to the Pelicans.
Next: Who's the Second Most Important Warrior?