The Golden State Warriors – The next Western Conference powerhouse?

Do the Golden State Warriors have what it takes to go all the way?

The Golden State Warriors, technically a medium market franchise, has transformed itself from a cellar dweller into a potential powerhouse in the Western Conference. The team, previously considered an easy beat by opponents, has, in recent years, drafted extremely well. Stephen Curry in the 2009 draft in an example of the same. Add an extremely strong list of off-season trade acquisitions being added to the roster, and last year’s Conference semi-finalists are in good stead to become a formidable franchise and a force come playoff time.

The playoff run made by the San Francisco and Oakland club was largely fuelled by their signings in the last four NBA drafts. In particular, the truly amazing 3-point jump shooting displayed during the 2012/13 was a product of the drafting success stories of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Both lit up last year’s post season with their extraordinary performances, landing 3-pointers from almost everywhere. What another season of experience will do for these two emerging superstars is a scary prospect for opponents, as it is unimaginable that the dynamic duo could shoot any better throughout a season or post season.

A squad that was battered and bruised by the end of the playoffs, which ultimately led to its downfall, has bolstered its stocks player-wise with the addition of Jermaine O’Neal, an extremely competitive big man, and the most notable signing of all – Andre Iguodala. The addition of these two NBA All-Stars to this roster should only further improve a team seeking its first NBA Finals appearance since 1975, the last time the franchise was considered a powerhouse.

The addition of Jermaine O’Neal, a six-time NBA All-Star and former Most Improved Player (2002), along with another year of rehab for Andrew Bogut’s troublesome ankle and the continued emergence of David Lee as a powerful centre leaves the Warriors with the opportunity to be able to switch to a more low or high post dominated game plan if the hot hands of its jump shooters begin to fail.

It is almost a certainty that no team will be able to reach the Finals relying solely on the jump shooting of its dynamic duo, and this trio of potential centres or power forwards signifies the realisation by the franchise executives that the pair of jump shooters may never have a post season so successful, 3-point percentage wise at least.

Furthermore, the addition of Swingman Andre Iguodala to the team’s roster for next season adds another 15.1 points per game across his illustrious nine-year career to the Warriors team sheet.  He also provides another option for the team whose line-up could be as follows for next season – Point Guard: Stephen Curry, Shooting Guard: Klay Thompson, Small Forward: Andre Iguodala, Power Forward: David Lee, Centre: Andrew Bogut, with sizeable contributions from Jermaine O’Neal and Harrison Barnes off the bench.

For the Warriors going forward, all talk of last season’s remarkable playoff run becomes irrelevant if they wish to improve on the Conference semi-final playoff exit and become a powerhouse within the already strong Western Conference. And now for the first time in ages, they have the roster to do so.