Golden State Warriors: Top 5 toughest matchups for the 2019-2020 season

By James Carroll | Sep 13, 2019

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 03: Stephen Curry #30 and Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors converse against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on December 3, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 03: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz listens to head coach Quin Snyder during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on April 03, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. Golden State Warriors (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 03: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz listens to head coach Quin Snyder during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on April 03, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. Golden State Warriors (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

#3: Utah Jazz

No matter how good the Golden State Warriors have been, there are two teams each year that seem to cause some problems, especially on the road. The Utah Jazz are one of them.

This offseason, while they haven’t made any comparatively splashy moves, they’ve bolstered their team with two key additions in Mike Conley and Bojan Bogdanovic.

Conley led an awful Memphis Grizzlies team last year to a top-10 defense. He’s long been an elite defender and should pair perfectly with a young and impressionable Donovan Mitchell who will be coming into his own next season.

The combination of their playmaking abilities will allow both players to play more off-ball than years past. Although Jazz fans have fallen in love with the resurgence of Ricky Rubio, Conley is a schematic upgrade that will prove to be a huge help in stopping two deadeye Warriors shooters.

Meanwhile, Bogdanovic might be one of the best under-the-radar signings of the offseason. He drastically improves the Utah offense with his 43% three-point percentage and should have space on the floor with complementary pieces like Joe Ingles by his side.

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At the very least, it’s a huge upgrade over Jae Crowder, who could be left open at the line.

The Warriors will have their hands full trying to figure out how to generate shots with so many capable defenders on the floor all at the same time. Gobert will likely never be a proficient scorer, but his inside presence will only get better with teammates that can focus on perimeter defense.

There have been questions about the Jazz and their depth this upcoming season, but there should still be some capable pieces helping to support the team.

Ed Davis should still cause some problems for the Warriors. Davis is a glass-cleaner who will surely enjoy beating up on some of the smaller guys crashing the boards for Golden State.

The key to beating a team like the Utah Jazz will be to put the ball in D’Angelo Russell’s hands and have him drive to the basket. His skill set should allow him to find ways to go right at Rudy Gobert.

Getting the defense to collapse in while Curry plays off-ball and rim-runners remain active will be the way to beat this team.

While the offense has been much improved this offseason, it still doesn’t hold a candle to what the Warriors will be able to do if they can get their three-point snipers lined up. Russell will be fun to watch in these games as he picks apart the team until they’re forced to go smaller.

As it’s been in the past, that’s usually not a good strategy against the Dubs.

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