Reports: NBA executive names Golden State Warriors Western Conference favorites over Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets

As per a recent NBA report, an NBA executive still viewed the Golden State Warriors as favorites in the West. While speaking in an interview with KNBR's Tom Tolbert and Matt Kolsky, NBA reporter Howard Beck shared the details of his discussions with the executive.

The Golden State Warriors may be reigning champions, but they haven't exactly looked like contenders this season. The burnout from a title run is a more than understandable cause for this. However, given the state of their roster and Jordan Poole's subsequent rise, many factors favored Golden State's chances of repeating title success.

The Warriors are currently fifth in the West after scratching and clawing their way up. The Dubs have certainly been impressive. But they haven't looked threatening enough to contend for the chip.

Apparently, that doesn't appear to be the general sentiment across the league. As per Beck's report during the interview with KNBR, the executive still viewed the Warriors as the favorites out of the West.

To put things into context, the West is ridiculously stacked.

The Denver Nuggets have one of the best records in the league and are led by one of the best players in the league. The Phoenix Suns, albeit underwhelming early on in the season, added a superstar in Kevin Durant to their already stacked rotation.

With several competitive teams in the West, the Dubs just look like one of the many teams in the mix. Beck, however, recalled the executive's statement regarding the Dubs. Beck said:

"I just got off the phone an hour ago with a team executive in the Western Conference, and we were talking about who are the favorites [in the conference]?" He didn’t even mention the Nuggets. He said, ‘I think it’s the Warriors or Clippers.'"

The notion of the Warriors being title contenders could be considered bewildering, to say the least. Beck also added to the idea by saying:

"Every bit of data, all the logic, everything, should tell us it’s already over.he Warriors can’t do this. Nobody gets this deep in the season with that record, and all the stats that go into it ... and still wins a championship. It just doesn’t happen."

He added:

"But whether it’s sentimentality, whether it’s a stubborn belief in the names and the faces and their resumes that we still see on that roster -- I’m not ready to brush them off. I’m just not."

"I just got off the phone an hour ago with a team exec in the Western Conference and we were talking about who's the favorite? He didn't even mention the Nuggets. He said 'I think it's the Warriors or Clippers.'"

- Howard Beck w/ Tolbert & Kolsky on the favorite in the West

The sentiment associated with the Golden State Warriors being a championship-driven dynasty could certainly impact how they're perceived as contenders. But do they really still have a chance of winning it all?

The Golden State Warriors could make noise in the playoffs

The Golden State Warriors are a decrepit team at the moment. However, should Steph Curry and Andrew Wiggins return in time, they have as good a chance as any team in the playoffs.

Behind Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole's recent performances, the Warriors have managed to climb their way into the playoff picture. The stability with which the Dubs have played has been reassuring. Purely based on this, they would be a menace to face in the playoffs.

There is too much veteran experience, chemistry, and championship pedigree in place to discount Golden State's chances.

Fatigue and injuries remain the primary obstacles along the way. However, should the Golden State Warriors make it to the playoffs, it is truly anybody's game.

“I promise you this, when we're healthy, no one wants to see us in the postseason. I promise you that."

- Klay Thompson

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