Golden State Warriors Roundtable: 5 Questions on the 2015-16 Season

2. Who is the Warriors’ biggest competition in the Western Conference this year, and who is their biggest competition in all of the NBA?

Nov 11, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the basketball against San Antonio Spurs guard

(9, left) and forward

(21, right) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 113-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Viera: I would say their biggest competition overall is the Oklahoma City Thunder. While some might argue their bench lacks some depth to make it out of the Western Conference, their starting lineup, particularly Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, look hungry this year after an injury-plagued season one year ago.

Angelo Mendoza: Honestly, it’s difficult trying to single out one team as being the Warriors’ biggest competition in the Western Conference, simply because the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers all have a few kinks they have yet to figure out, and both the Spurs and OKC have plenty of time to play things through before they face the Warriors. That said, I really like how the Clippers played in their loss to the Warriors. I like how they match up with the Warriors, and they have the weapons necessary to give the Warriors’ defense some trouble. If they can figure out how to get their bench guys to play together as a cohesive unit, I think they could give the Warriors a run for their money. And the Cleveland Cavaliers remain the Warriors’ biggest competition in all of the NBA, nuff said.

Wes Ying:  The rival Clippers are the Warriors’ stiffest competition in the West and the league. A heated rivalry can be both good and bad for the teams involved, and that added motivation is always an x-factor in games. The Warriors took game one of the regular season series, but the Clippers are still incorporating their new pieces. Cavs, Thunder and Spurs would be the other potential hurdles for the Warriors.

Don Jackson: I believe the Warriors’ biggest competition in the Western Conference, as well as the NBA, is the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs have the championship pedigree and mental toughness that separates them from other challengers. Teams like the Rockets and Clippers don’t have the mental make-up of the Spurs, and, therefore, are not as big of a threat.

Brendan Kennealy: The Warriors’ biggest competition in the Western Conference is themselves. They have the firepower to outscore any team. They have the defensive mentality as an entire team to lock up any team in need of a clutch basket. They are so well-coached and well-disciplined that the only thing that can beat them, outside of unforeseen injuries, is themselves. Team-wise, their biggest competition in the entire NBA is the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs went out and got LaMarcus Aldridge in the offseason, but their losses of Tiago Splitter and Aron Baynes weakens their front-court depth in matchups against the Warriors, who will likely push the tempo to their liking, in order to wear down Aldridge and Tim Duncan.

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