Five teams that can defeat the Golden State Warriors

Or can they?

Warriors are the favorites with the NBA title. Again. As they should be. However, there are teams that can challenge the Warriors, it will not be a cakewalk. And unlike the last two years, the biggest challenge of the Warriors will be the final.

Here are the five teams that have a chance to beat the Warriors this season.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "1) the Toronto Raptors."data-reactid =" 34 ">1) The Toronto Raptors.

Do not get stuck in the past "the Raptors are not a playoff team", it's by design a very different composition from Toronto before the playoffs. And it's a team that matches what Golden State: they are long and interchangeable defense, they know how to get buckets and they now have a tighter match.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "No one is going to stop Kevin Durantbut Kawhi Leonard can slow him down, run KD and stay on an island against him (relatively), allowing other defenders to stay at home with their guys. Although I do not put a lot of value in the regular season games as playoff predictors, a long time ago, in November, Leonard and Durant had a showdown that was one of the most entertaining matches of the year. "Data-reactid =" 36 "> Nobody is going to stop Kevin Durant, but Kawhi Leonard can slow him down, run KD and stay on an island against him (relatively), allowing other defenders to stay home with their guys. Although I do not put a lot of value into the regular season games as playoff predictors, a long time ago, in November, Leonard and Durant had a back-and-forth confrontation that was the # 1 39, one of the most entertaining games of the year.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Danny Green is a strong defender who can be put on the hottest of Klay Thompson or Stephen Currythen Kyle Lowry can do a solid job on the other. Pascal Siakam can get Draymond Green and help him while challenging Green to shoot jumpers, and Siakam can be the five when the Warriors get small with Green in the center. Marc Gasol will probably start on DeMarcus Cousinsbut Serge Ibaka can have time too. Then rockets to bring Norman PowellSerge Ibaka and Fred VanVleet if needed. "data-reactid =" 37 "> Danny Green is a powerful defender who can be placed on Klay Thompson's hottest group or Stephen Curry and then Kyle Lowry can do a solid job of the other. Pascal Siakam can get Draymond Green and help him defy Green, but Siakam can be the five when the Warriors get small with Green in the center. Marc Gasol will probably start on DeMarcus Cousins, but Serge Ibaka can also have time. The Rockets then bring Norman Powell, Serge Ibaka and Fred VanVleet as needed.

Toronto's fifth offensive this season will still score points against the Warriors. They can mark on the inside and on the outside. And when the game comes into play, Leonard will have the opportunity to show why he was once the most valuable player in the finals.

The Warriors would and should always be favorites in this potential final match, but the Raptors are about to succeed.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "2) Milwaukee Dollars"data-reactid =" 52 ">2) Milwaukee Dollars.

<p class = "web-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "A team needs long defenders and d & # 39; elite The Bucks won the NBA's fourth-best offensive last season, led by the MVP's leading player Giannis Antetokounmpo. So check this box. As for the endless defenders, the Bucks are built around the Greek Freak, Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdonand the physics in point Eric Bledsoe. "Data-reactid =" 53 "> A team needs endless defensemen and an elite attack to defeat the Warriors The Bucks earned the fourth-best NBA attack last season, led by MVP's lead player Giannis Antetokounmpo. So check this box. As for the endless defenders, the Bucks are built around the Greek Freak, Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon, and the physics point Eric Bledsoe. Check.

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "The Bucks are one of the few teams that can take three the Warriors and they may be willing to play this way, if the Warriors defenders have to bow to stop the shooters – especially the Cousins ​​chasing Brook Lopez old-fashioned – this opens the way for readers of Antetokounmpo, and no one stops them. "data-reactid =" 54 "> The Bucks are one of the few teams to be able to do three times faster than the Warriors and Si Warriors defenders must crawl to stop shooters – especially Cousins ​​chasing Brook Lopez of painting – this opens the way for readers of Antetokounmpo, and no one stops them.

What the Bucks need is Brogdon back and healthy to put Klay Thompson. In addition, Milwaukee would need to find a way to continue playing their basic defense, forcing Lopez to file his choices to obstruct the painting, without giving up too much to the Warriors. Finally, when the Warriors become small, the Bucks can accompany Antetokounmpo to central lineups.

It would be a big step for the Bucks to challenge the Warriors, but on paper they have the tools.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "3) The Houston Rockets."data-reactid =" 69 ">3) The Houston Rockets.

This is the same team that was ahead at halftime of game 7 of the Western Conference final on his home ground less than a year ago ….

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Well, they are not exactly the same team But they play closer to this level than they did all season – Chris Paul looks more like his old self, Clint Capela seems fit, Danuel House Jr. and PJ Tucker have found a groove as role players and, since the victory of the All-Star, the Rockets have the second best defense of the country and the best net score (+10.7). "data-reactid =" 71 "> Well, they are It's not exactly the same team, but they're playing closer to that level than they've done all season – Chris Paul looks more like his former player, Clint Capela looks fit, Danuel House Jr. and PJ Tucker have found a groove as role players, and since the star game, the Rockets have the country's second best defense and the best net score (+ 10.7).

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "The Rockets have always James Harden and no one – on the warriors or on the planet – can stop it. If he has other guys who shoot shots around him and the Rockets continue to defend themselves, they are the only team in the West to have a chance. The Rockets do not have Trevor Ariza or the same depth that made them a real threat to the Warriors, a team of Rockets that could have a ring if the CP3 had remained healthy. But the Rockets remain the second best team in the West and the only team to shoot the Warriors. "Data-reactid =" 72 "> The Rockets still have James Harden and no one – neither on the Warriors nor on the planet – can If the other guys shoot fire around him and the Rockets continue to defend themselves, they are the only team in the West to have a chance.The Rockets do not have Trevor Ariza or the same depth that threatened them the Warriors, a Rockets team that could have a ring if the CP3 had stayed in good health, but the Rockets remain the second best team in the West and the only team to take the shot against the Warriors.

The story continues

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "If the Rockets and warriors it will be in the second round – and it could be good for Houston. What has slowed the Rockets in recent seasons is that Harden runs out of gas because of the load he has to carry, or that Paul is hurt. Does the meeting in the second round make it less likely to either of these things, which means that the Rockets have a better chance? May be. The Rockets will have to make their way to a very good jazz team to find out. "Data-reactid =" 77 "> If the Rockets and Warriors meet, it will be in the second round – and it could be good for Houston Harden has just slowed down the Rockets in recent seasons, where Paul gets injured, which is less likely to happen, making it less likely either or both of these things, which means that the Rockets have better chances The Rockets will have to make their way to a very good team of jazz to know it.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "4) The Boston Celtics"data-reactid =" 90 ">4) The Boston Celtics.

The pre-season favorites in the East have shown lightning this year where you can not help but think "it's a suitor, they can push the Warriors". Boston just was not able to support it.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "The correspondence on paper is interesting. Kyrie Irving Stephen Curry was defeated in the final before. Al Horford can be effective against Golden State, as Cousins ​​is in the paint (Horford is a better post defender than one thinks, and on the offensive he could pull Cousins ​​up to the point of view. on the line of three points to defend his shot is at 5. Horford explodes the mismatches on the banks of Golden State. "Data-reactid =" 92 "> The confrontation on paper is interesting Kyrie Irving has already defeated Stephen Curry in Al Horford can be effective against Golden State if Cousins ​​is in the paint (Horford is a better post defender than one thinks and, on the offensive, he could pull the Cousins ​​up to At the three-point line to defend his shot) or if the Warriors got small and Green was in fifth place … Horford explodes, the Golden State mismatches on.

<p class = "canvas-atom-text-canvas Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "The Celtics would need Marcus Smart back and in good health. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Terry Rozier All must play as well as in the last series. Data-reaid = "93"> The Celtics would need Marcus Smart in great shape and health. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier all need Marcus Smart. need to play as well as in the last playoffs. Many things have to go well and the Celtics have not been able to support this this year.

But Boston has the coins to be a potential threat to Golden State.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "5) The Philadelphia 76ers."data-reactid =" 107 ">5) The Philadelphia 76ers.

Philly being on this list boils down to one thing: they have the second best starting five in the league. The one from five years old who can challenge the best formations of Warriors.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Joel Embiid (who can beat the cousins, but did not play well against the Warriors this season), Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harrisand sniper J.J. Redick have a ton of potential. When they are together on the ground, the unit dominated both ends. "Data-reactid =" 109 "> Joel Embiid (who can beat the Cousins, but did not play well against the Warriors this season), Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris and JJ Redick have a ton of potential When on the ground, the unit dominated both ends.

The problem is that they have not been so much together on the ground and there are chemistry issues. Moreover, behind these five points, there is little depth.

Philadelphia still has a long way to go to become a threat to the Warriors, but if they manage to come out of the East, they may be this team by June.