Sports writer Ben Arthur wrote an article in last week’s Beacon commenting on how the defending champion Golden State Warriors won’t be champions again this year. I am writing this piece to argue that they WILL repeat as NBA champions.
It’s easy to say that they will win because of a player by the name of Wardell Stephen Curry II, but this team is much more than just the reigning MVP.
Through eight games this year, Steph Curry is averaging 31.9 points per game, the highest average in the NBA, and is on pace to make around 400 3-pointers this year, shattering his previous record of 286 three’s made.
The Warriors are 9-0 to start the year, and have defeated their opponents by an average of 17.8 points per game. Their strongest victory came on Halloween this year when they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies by a score of 119-69, or 50 points.
With the Splash Brothers (Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson) lighting up their offensive game, players like Draymond Green and Andrew Bogut, if he can stay healthy, lead this team to be a defensive powerhouse.
The Western Conference is full of high caliber NBA teams, including the San Antonio Spurs, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Clippers. While it isn’t going to be as easy as it seemed it was last year, the Warriors still have a great chance to repeat this year.
They have proved that they can perform under pressure and against tough opponents. While teams like the Thunder improved with the return of Kevin Durant, who was injured most of last year with a foot injury, and the Spurs who improved in the offseason by signing All-Star Lamarcus Aldridge, the Warriors were the NBA’s best offensive and defensive team last year. As of now, they are the only undefeated team in the NBA and do not look like they’re slowing down.
Although Mr. Arthur brought up very valid arguments about how the Western Conference has become even stronger and more difficult than it was last year, the Warriors could be an even better team than they were last season. Plus, if winning the West means that they have to play the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals again, then bring it on.
The Warriors have so much confidence this year and that is fueled by their dominating season last year. Klay Thompson, believes that they can win 70 games this year. With reigning MVP Stephen Curry playing the way he is, the Warriors’ defensive excellence, a deep bench, and incredible team chemistry, the Warriors will repeat as NBA champs.
Sal Aversa is a junior Communication Studies major at the University of Portland. He can be reached at avera17@up.edu
