Golden State Warriors Mailbag: X-Factor, Grizzlies, Rockets, Spurs
Nov 11, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard
Tony Parker(9) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 113-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
@MaggiePilloton will Kerr & Co. have the antidote to finally neutralize Dubs' perceived biggest threat - Los Spurs? Is home court enough?
— Aston ♥️🐾 🏆💙💛 (@schmeevee) April 14, 2015
This is the biggest question surrounding the Warriors heading into the playoffs. The Spurs pose the biggest threat to the Warriors’ desire to win a championship. The Grizzlies, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Atlanta Hawks are all formidable opponents, but the Spurs would be the toughest potential matchup for the Warriors in the postseason because of their experience, their similarity in style to the Warriors, their confidence, their teamwork, their team chemistry, and their ability to have any player contribute significantly on any given night.
Home court advantage will certainly be a huge factor if the Warriors are to face the Spurs in the playoffs, as they’ve proven they can beat the Spurs at home. The Warriors proved two seasons ago that they can beat the Spurs in San Antonio, but just because they won there a couple years ago doesn’t mean they can do the same this season, especially since they got blown out by the Spurs in San Antonio a couple weeks ago.
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The Warriors are the best team in the NBA for a reason though, so even though winning in San Antonio would be challenging, it’s a doable task. Home court advantage might be enough though for the Warriors to beat the Spurs.
If this series does happen, it’ll most likely go to seven games, which is where home court advantage comes in. Game Seven would be at Oracle Arena, where the Warriors are almost impossible to beat this season. Add in an Oracle playoff atmosphere, and the Warriors have a greater chance of being the Spurs in a potential Game Seven.
However, add in Gregg Popovich’s coaching mastery, the Spurs’ experience in Game Sevens, and their overall playoff experience and that could potentially take away the advantage that Oracle normally gives the Warriors.
The health of each team at the time of this potential series would also influence the result of the series heavily, but assuming both teams are fully healthy, I’m not sure if the Warriors will be able to overcome the Spurs. I’m not saying they won’t, but this would definitely be the toughest task the Warriors have faced all season.
Anything can happen in the playoffs though, and we believe in the Warriors.