Courtesy -SI.com
Now that we have reached the middle of the season, it is appropriate to give a prediction on which franchise has the best chance of winning the 2014-15 NBA Championship. The NBA’s powerhouse teams belong in the Western Conference, so it should come as no surprise that my favorite this year to win it all is currently the Golden State Warriors, who are sitting in first place in the West with a record of 36-6.
This is the Warriors first year under new head coach, Steve Kerr, who has made a strong case to win the Coach of the Year Award. Point guard, Stephen Curry, who is having an MVP-worthy season, has led the Warriors throughout the first half of the year, securing them as favorite to win it all at the mid-way point of the regular season. Recently, Kerr refereed to Curry as “the short Tim Duncan”, for being extremely talented and modest. I couldn’t agree more with this statement. Curry is the face of this franchise, extremely talented, plays great fundamental basketball and has helped this team reach new heights.
With Curry leading Golden State, the Warriors have been able to become a true powerhouse franchise. Everyone on the team has the ability to thrive but more importantly, everyone on the team is given the opportunity to thrive. Kerr has set up the perfect system, with Curry as the perfect conductor.
Courtesy – Fansided.com
When watching Golden State, everything seems to flourish and come naturally and because of it, I believe there isn’t a franchise in the league that is having as much fun as the Warriors right now. I also believe that there are very few teams that can compete on the same level with the Warriors when they are completely healthy.
Golden State has played extremely well up to the middle point of the season and I believe they will continue to perform at a high level throughout the remainder of the year. The Warriors currently shoot better and score more points than anyone else in the NBA. Golden State averages 110.7PTS per game, while shooting 48.7 percent from field goal range as a team. This franchise has been able to put together all the championship pieces needed to win a title. Curry and Kerr both have every player involved in the game. The Warriors are leading the NBA in assists, averaging 27.1 ASTs per game. Under Kerr, this team has evolved a great deal; last season they finished 12th in offensive efficiency and this year they are currently in 3rd place.
On multiple occasions, Golden State has proven to the league that they are for real and that injuries don’t matter. They have the veteran experience, the superstar talent, the proper coach, the bench, the commitment and the Warriors are currently playing championship style defense.
Golden State averages the highest point difference in the NBA, averaging a difference of +11.7PTs per game. They also hold their opponents to the lowest field goal percentage in the league, 42.0 percent per game. The Warriors also have become a much more tougher team on the defensive side of the ball. They are currently second in blocks per game, averaging 6.4 and fourth in steals per game, averaging 9.3. The Warriors have been able to use their physical defense to control the tempo of games. They are currently leading the league in fast break points per game, averaging 20.9PTs per game on fast break. It is extremely difficult for teams to find a way to beat the Warriors because of how well Curry and Company control the tempo of the game with a fast past offense and a quick, physical defense.
Right now, the Golden State Warriors have the line up versatility that makes them a threat to opponents on both sides of the court. Steve Kerr has taken the Warriors’ game and style of play up to a championship caliber since replacing Mark Jackson. Getting through the competitive Western Conference will be tough but not impossible. Kerr is the perfect coach for Golden State and Curry is the perfect leader for this team. Without a doubt, the Warriors right now are the favorites to win the 2014-15 NBA Championship.
