Golden State Warriors Power Rankings: One Loss Last Week, Still Number One?

By Maggie Pilloton | Apr 6, 2015

The Golden State Warriors not only added three more wins this past week, but they also added to their long list of accomplishments by securing home court advantage throughout the playoffs. The Warriors now have a 63-14 record this season, and their 63rd win, which came against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, gave Steve Kerr the most wins by a rookie head coach in NBA history.

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Although the Warriors went 3-1 in their games last week, they still own the best record in the NBA and continue to impress with each and every win. In last week’s power rankings, the Warriors extended their streak atop the power rankings to seven weeks. Did the Warriors’ one loss this week affect their place in the major power rankings? Let’s find out.

Marc Stein of ESPN led off his power rankings article this week by saying this:

"The No. 1 spot in ESPN.com’s weekly NBA Power Rankings, as covered here last Monday, already has been wrapped up by the Golden State Warriors."

Therefore, the Warriors were the number one team again this week and, according to Stein, will be in that top spot in ESPN’s power rankings for the rest of the season. Here’s the rest of what Stein had to say about the Warriors this week:

"How do you deal with your first L since March 13 and the realization that you’ve dropped 32 consecutive regular-season games in San Antonio? You take comfort in the knowledge that two more wins would nudge the Warriors to 14 more than last season’s 51-win outfit … most ever for a 50-win team."

John Schuhmann of NBA.com also ranked the Warriors in the number one spot again this week, and he discussed the Warriors’ road losses against the Atlanta Hawks, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the San Antonio Spurs, among other things:

"Golden State (63-14)Pace: 100.6 (1) OffRtg: 109.5 (2) DefRtg: 97.8 (1) NetRtg: +11.7 (1)The Warriors are 0-3 in Atlanta, Cleveland and San Antonio after Sunday’s loss to the Spurs. But they’re 35-2 at Oracle Arena and just one win (or a Hawks loss) from clinching home-court advantage throughout the postseason. Apparently, Stephen Curry is just getting warmed up. He’s 43-for-75 (57 percent) from 3-point range over the last nine games.This week: @ NOP, vs. POR, vs. MIN"

Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports also picked the Warriors as the top team this week, and he focused on a topic that we also discussed at Golden Gate Sports earlier this week: if momentum or rest is more important for the Warriors heading into the playoffs.

"1. Golden State Warriors (Record: 63-14; last week: 1): Coach Steve Kerr has said he wants the Warriors to have rhythm entering the playoffs, but it is essential to heed the threat of injury."

Matt Moore of CBS Sports was the only writer this week to move the Warriors down to the number two spot. This seems a little drastic given the fact the Warriors lost just one game last week, clinched home court advantage throughout the playoffs, and have the best record in the NBA, but Moore believes that the loss to the Spurs is more meaningful than some people think:

"The Warriors didn’t need that win vs. the Spurs, but there was still a vibe of shell shock surrounding it. Everything has come so easy for the Warriors this season. The playoffs begin in less than two weeks. The easy part … is over."

The Warriors have three games this week. Their first game is on Tuesday against the New Orlean Pelicans, and this is the last game of their four-game road trip and their last road game of the season. They then return home on Thursday to face the Portland Trail Blazers, and then they face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. After that, the Warriors have just two more games in the regular season.

Can the Warriors finish this week with three more wins? Will they re-gain the top spot in CBS Sports’ power rankings next week? We’ll keep you updated.

Next: Warriors: More Important Now, Momentum or Rest?

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