"The Clippers are the team to beat...I don't even think Golden State is in their class" - NBA executive denies Warriors repeating their championship run, asserts Clippers are better contender for title
The Golden State Warriors have surprised a few by their slow start to the season. They are currently 3-5 and 12th in the Western Conference standings. The LA Clippers have also struggled, sitting in 11th place with a 3-4 record. However, NBA analyst Ric Bucher believes the feeling around the NBA is that the Clippers are the team to beat this season.
In his latest story on Fox Sports, Bucher said:
"The Clippers are the team to beat," a Western Conference GM said. I don't even think Golden State is in their class. The Clippers have too much depth. I admire the Warriors' can-do attitude. But they sat everybody for two years and then won the battle of attrition. I don't know that they'll be able to last this time around."
While the Clippers have struggled, Bucher added that one scout believes that they are not worried about the regular season:
"I don't think they care about the regular season," an Eastern Conference scout said. I don't expect them to have a great regular-season record. It's all about having all their guys ready for the playoffs."
Another scout shared that he believes injuries can be a factor for Golden State:
"Their two most important players, Steph and Draymond, are in their mid-30s and can easily get injured or have age-related decline," an Eastern Conference scout said. That's just very common. Although I'd say Steph is probably a better bet than anyone at that age to still be good. It's just more of a risk for him than guys in their mid-20s."
While the team has struggled, it is odd to see the Clippers getting the benefit of the doubt and not Golden State. After all, the Warriors' strategy of not worrying about the regular season paid off with their fourth title in eight seasons. Additionally, the Clippers stars have proven to be far more injury prone than either Steph Curry or Draymond Green.
Why NBA scouts, executives aren't sold on Warriors repeating foxsports.com/stories/nba/wh…
The Golden State Warriors have struggled to begin the 2022-2023 NBA season
Over the past decade, Golden State has been the NBA's premier franchise. The organization has drafted and developed well, while adding the right pieces in free agency. The end result has been four titles in eight seasons. Entering the season, many expected the Warriors to have a chance at their fifth title, however the team has struggled to a 3-5 record early on.
Currently on a three-game losing streak, the Warriors' normally strong defense has been poor so far this season. Golden State currently ranks 29th in opponents points per game and 25th in defensive rating. Additionally, while their offense is tied for ninth in points per game, it ranks just 20th in offensive rating.
If the Warriors want to repeat, they need to improve tremendously, especially on the defensive end. Last season's title team ranked just 15th in points per game and 17th in offensive rating, however, their defense ranked third in opponents points per game and first in defensive rating.