[flybobbyflyParticipant]

It seems like it is a foregone conclusion tha the warriors will have an extreme amount of success with the shakeup they have made to their team. They now have two of the top 5 players in the league as well as two other all NBA players. It’s hard to imagine them being beat but there is a history of super teams underperforming, especially in their first year together. 

The Cavs were supposed to be a lock to win the championship after securing a big three of James, Love, and Irving. They had success but were left short handed due to injuries and lost to an organically grown team in the Warriors. 

The Nets were supposed to be competing for a championship after trading for Garnett and Pierce. They had a star studded starting 5 of Williams, Johnson, Pierce, Garnett, and Lopez. Analysts were wondering how any team could beat them. They barely finished above 500 and then lost in the second round to the heat. 

The Heat were supposed to win not 6, not 7, championships in a row with their big three of Bosh, Wade, and James. They lost their first year together in the championship game against the more balanced roster of the Dallas Mavericks. 

The Lakers picked up Dwight Howard and Steve Nash to go along with Gasol, Bryant, and World Peace. They were sipposed to be unbeatable. Bad chemistry and injuries had them barely reaching the playoffs and being swept by the Spurs in the first round. 

Shaq and the super lakers were supposed to destroy the league after picking up Payton and Malone. They lost in the finals to a Detroit team that didn’t have a single superstar on the team. 

I’m not saying that the Warriors will fail to win a championship as it looks like they have a very good chance. I’m just saying that many times unforeseen circumstances get in the way of super teams succeeding. They have to worry about integrating Durant into their Offense as well as their Defense. They lost Bogut who is one of the best interior defenders in the league as well as one of the highest IQ big men in the game. They have chemistry issues to figure out where the Spurs and Cavs likely will not. Their two biggest stars both have a history of injuries. 

I think this season may me be more interesting than a lot of people are expecting. I hope that we will have another surprise team that has grown through shrewd free agency decisions and draft picks competing for a championship like the Pistons, Mavericks and Warriors did in the past.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 The thing that is different about all of those super teams with the exception of Miami, is that Durant, Curry, Thompson and Green are all in their prime. 

The Heat were a decent team then added Bosh and LeBron – two top-12ish players in the league. 

The Warriors just won 73 games and were tied in the final minute of game 7 in the Finals…they just added maybe the second best player in the league. 

The Cavs weren’t a lock to win the title two years ago when they dealt for Love and signed LeBron because that team was incomplete and few of those players aside from LeBron had any playoff experience. Of course LeBron is the ultimate exception to all rules and theyve done quite well. 

The Nets added guys who were so far beyond their prime that it quickly became more sad than anything. 

The Lakers added Howard who was banged up, Nash who was way beyond his prime and Kobe and Gasol were both past their primes and aging as well. On top of the fact that their coach was clueless. 

GS has a very good coach and chemistry in place where Durant doesnt have to upset the order. He can come in and stay in his lane, and get open shots all game. Sure there will be some adjustments, but the Warriors’ system is conducive to sharing the ball, moving the ball and guys getting open looks. They don’t have a "go-to" guy…their go-to guy is the guy that is open. 

I respect your optimism and hope you are right. But my cynical nature leads me to believe the NBA is going to be even worse than it was in terms of competitive balance now. The team that just set the record for most wins in the regular season added a top-3 player in the game. Barring injurys…I don’t see how they don’t win the title and dominate the league for the forseeable future. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

The Lakers added Howard who was banged up, Nash who was way beyond his prime and Kobe and Gasol were both past their primes and aging as well. On top of the fact that their coach was clueless.

————————————————————————————————————–

I agree with most of your assessments but not really this one. Howard was a bit banged up sure, but he still played 76 games and averaged 36 MPG. Kobe was past his prime but was still an elite player in the league and would average 27.3 PPG on 46.3 FG% with 6 APG and 5.3 RPG that year. Gasol was also past his prime but is still playing at an All-Star level to this day, so he was still expected to be very effective. Actually his injuries and adjusting to a new system would really effect his play that season. And Nash wasn’t "way beyond his prime." Nash was a late bloomer whose prime was between the ages of 30 and 36. The season with the Lakers would be when his play would significantly drop off but just the previous season he had averaged 10.7 APG and 12.5 PPG while shooting 53/39/89, so there had been little indication that his play was going to decline like that.

 

 

 

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

The Lakers added Howard who was banged up, Nash who was way beyond his prime and Kobe and Gasol were both past their primes and aging as well. On top of the fact that their coach was clueless.

————————————————————————————————————–

I agree with most of your assessments but not really this one. Howard was a bit banged up sure, but he still played 76 games and averaged 36 MPG. Kobe was past his prime but was still an elite player in the league and would average 27.3 PPG on 46.3 FG% with 6 APG and 5.3 RPG that year. Gasol was also past his prime but is still playing at an All-Star level to this day, so he was still expected to be very effective. Actually his injuries and adjusting to a new system would really effect his play that season. And Nash wasn’t "way beyond his prime." Nash was a late bloomer whose prime was between the ages of 30 and 36. The season with the Lakers would be when his play would significantly drop off but just the previous season he had averaged 10.7 APG and 12.5 PPG while shooting 53/39/89, so there had been little indication that his play was going to decline like that.

 

 

 

[mamadouParticipant]

The heat weren’t a decent team…

They had the grand total of 2 players under contract, before the three amigos took paycuts to join forces.

That wasn’t a team…

Bosh was all nba one time in his career, when he was 23, he proved it in the playoffs.

Wade was pretty healthy the 1st year, then he was 30 and missed 13 to 28 games the next 3 seasons.

 

KD is joining a team with 171 wins in the last 2 seasons…

The 4 all nba players are 26-28, in their prime.

3 MVP titles, 5 scoring titles, 4 all nba players, 6 all stars(former all stars), 3 all nba defensive players.

3 of the greatest shooters in the history of the game, KD a rare member of the 50-40-90 club himself, the three combined 850+ treys last season; more than 25 teams in the league.

That’s too much for my liking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mamadouParticipant]

The heat weren’t a decent team…

They had the grand total of 2 players under contract, before the three amigos took paycuts to join forces.

That wasn’t a team…

Bosh was all nba one time in his career, when he was 23, he proved it in the playoffs.

Wade was pretty healthy the 1st year, then he was 30 and missed 13 to 28 games the next 3 seasons.

 

KD is joining a team with 171 wins in the last 2 seasons…

The 4 all nba players are 26-28, in their prime.

3 MVP titles, 5 scoring titles, 4 all nba players, 6 all stars(former all stars), 3 all nba defensive players.

3 of the greatest shooters in the history of the game, KD a rare member of the 50-40-90 club himself, the three combined 850+ treys last season; more than 25 teams in the league.

That’s too much for my liking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 The thing that is different about all of those super teams with the exception of Miami, is that Durant, Curry, Thompson and Green are all in their prime. 

The Heat were a decent team then added Bosh and LeBron – two top-12ish players in the league. 

The Warriors just won 73 games and were tied in the final minute of game 7 in the Finals…they just added maybe the second best player in the league. 

The Cavs weren’t a lock to win the title two years ago when they dealt for Love and signed LeBron because that team was incomplete and few of those players aside from LeBron had any playoff experience. Of course LeBron is the ultimate exception to all rules and theyve done quite well. 

The Nets added guys who were so far beyond their prime that it quickly became more sad than anything. 

The Lakers added Howard who was banged up, Nash who was way beyond his prime and Kobe and Gasol were both past their primes and aging as well. On top of the fact that their coach was clueless. 

GS has a very good coach and chemistry in place where Durant doesnt have to upset the order. He can come in and stay in his lane, and get open shots all game. Sure there will be some adjustments, but the Warriors’ system is conducive to sharing the ball, moving the ball and guys getting open looks. They don’t have a "go-to" guy…their go-to guy is the guy that is open. 

I respect your optimism and hope you are right. But my cynical nature leads me to believe the NBA is going to be even worse than it was in terms of competitive balance now. The team that just set the record for most wins in the regular season added a top-3 player in the game. Barring injurys…I don’t see how they don’t win the title and dominate the league for the forseeable future. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Memphisboy14Participant]

I have to say that the Nets analogy is terrible because everyone and their mom knew that it was a terrible move and they wouldn’t even get past the 1st round.

[Memphisboy14Participant]

I have to say that the Nets analogy is terrible because everyone and their mom knew that it was a terrible move and they wouldn’t even get past the 1st round.

[J-rueMykelParticipant]

Im pretty sure NO ONE thought the Luxury Tax King Nets were going to compete for a championship.  Pretty sure everyone called that as soon as the deal went through as a Danny Ainge fleecing.  Perhaps the Heat didn’t live up to expectation the initial year LBJ and CBosh came in, however going to 4 straight finals and winning two rings cannot be considered a failure.  Maybe the Lakers underperformed after their addition of Howard and Nash but I don’t think anyone expected for those moves to tip the scale. 

There is a lot being made of Durant joining a new cast of characters, but what most are failing to realize is that he already has expierience, or will have, with all of GSW best 4 players.  Igoudala in 2010 and 2012 (World Cup and Olympics), Curry 2010 and 2014(World Cups), Thompson 2014 and 2016 (World Cup and Olympics), and Draymond 2016 (Olympics).  Given the selflessness of their offensive approach and this valuable expierience I except the cohesion to be there sooner than anticipated, that’s not to say they’re wont be growing pains.  Barring injury GSW is clearly better than any other team.  And there is probably only two teams (Cavs and Spurs) who would be able to take 4 of 7 from a healthy Warrior squad.  

What I also find humerous, is that people are saying there is no Bird Celtics team to challenge this Warrior team like the showtime Lakers who had countless superstars during the mid-80’s, and while they might be right, there is this guy, you might have heard of him, Lebron James, coming off 3 championship in 5 years. It’s still going to be fun, even if you wanna label the fan friendly Warriors supervillians because they put themselves in a postion to strengthen their team while hurting their biggest threat in the Western Conference. 

 

[J-rueMykelParticipant]

Im pretty sure NO ONE thought the Luxury Tax King Nets were going to compete for a championship.  Pretty sure everyone called that as soon as the deal went through as a Danny Ainge fleecing.  Perhaps the Heat didn’t live up to expectation the initial year LBJ and CBosh came in, however going to 4 straight finals and winning two rings cannot be considered a failure.  Maybe the Lakers underperformed after their addition of Howard and Nash but I don’t think anyone expected for those moves to tip the scale. 

There is a lot being made of Durant joining a new cast of characters, but what most are failing to realize is that he already has expierience, or will have, with all of GSW best 4 players.  Igoudala in 2010 and 2012 (World Cup and Olympics), Curry 2010 and 2014(World Cups), Thompson 2014 and 2016 (World Cup and Olympics), and Draymond 2016 (Olympics).  Given the selflessness of their offensive approach and this valuable expierience I except the cohesion to be there sooner than anticipated, that’s not to say they’re wont be growing pains.  Barring injury GSW is clearly better than any other team.  And there is probably only two teams (Cavs and Spurs) who would be able to take 4 of 7 from a healthy Warrior squad.  

What I also find humerous, is that people are saying there is no Bird Celtics team to challenge this Warrior team like the showtime Lakers who had countless superstars during the mid-80’s, and while they might be right, there is this guy, you might have heard of him, Lebron James, coming off 3 championship in 5 years. It’s still going to be fun, even if you wanna label the fan friendly Warriors supervillians because they put themselves in a postion to strengthen their team while hurting their biggest threat in the Western Conference. 

 

[flybobbyflyParticipant]

 Looking back it easy to rip on those Nets and Lakers teams. During the off seasons that those trades were made expectations were definitely high for all of the teams that I listed. The Nets failing to the level they did was a surprise to a ton of people. The Lakers were definitely expected to do more than they did also. From my memory those were very hyped offseason teams.

 

 

I am not arguing that the Warriors are on the same level as those teams as they seam to be the most talented team ever assembled. I am simply pointing out that the only other "super team" to win the championship in their first year in recent history was the Celtics. The rest have all either failed or taken at least an additional season to win it all.   

 

A lot of people are ready to hand the trophy to the Warriors already and I think that they still have a lot of questions to answer. 

 

 

[flybobbyflyParticipant]

 Looking back it easy to rip on those Nets and Lakers teams. During the off seasons that those trades were made expectations were definitely high for all of the teams that I listed. The Nets failing to the level they did was a surprise to a ton of people. The Lakers were definitely expected to do more than they did also. From my memory those were very hyped offseason teams.

 

 

I am not arguing that the Warriors are on the same level as those teams as they seam to be the most talented team ever assembled. I am simply pointing out that the only other "super team" to win the championship in their first year in recent history was the Celtics. The rest have all either failed or taken at least an additional season to win it all.   

 

A lot of people are ready to hand the trophy to the Warriors already and I think that they still have a lot of questions to answer. 

 

 

[J-rueMykelParticipant]

You are confusing hype from fair weather NBA fans and team specific fan bases with expectation. 

[J-rueMykelParticipant]

You are confusing hype from fair weather NBA fans and team specific fan bases with expectation. 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 hype from fair weather NBA fans and team specific fan bases is still hype.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 hype from fair weather NBA fans and team specific fan bases is still hype.

[J-rueMykelParticipant]

I think you’re confusing hype with expectation.  

[J-rueMykelParticipant]

I think you’re confusing hype with expectation.  

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 well sure, every team has questions to answer. Their questions are a lot easier to answer than every other team’s though because they’ve got four of the best 15 players in the league. And two or the best five or six. 

On top of that, they’ve got a great coach, and they’ve added good depth pieces, which is one of the downfalls of some of those other teams. This one just added two quality bigs on minimum contracts. 

@VictorOladipo

Good call on the Lakers thing. I definitely misremembered that group. I thought Howard missed more time than he did and his numbers were actually pretty good despite never really being fully healthy. It was Gasol that missed a ton of time and Nash never really blended with Kobe as well as many thought he would. 

Point is still the same…people are worried/hoping that the chemistry will hold them back and I just don’t see that being the case with this team. It’s unique because it isn’t a team with one guy that always needs the ball. Everyone can shoot, everyone can pass and they are willing to do both. The chemistry might not be perfect right away, but talent wins out in the end. And it’s "in their prime" talent at that. 

 

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 well sure, every team has questions to answer. Their questions are a lot easier to answer than every other team’s though because they’ve got four of the best 15 players in the league. And two or the best five or six. 

On top of that, they’ve got a great coach, and they’ve added good depth pieces, which is one of the downfalls of some of those other teams. This one just added two quality bigs on minimum contracts. 

@VictorOladipo

Good call on the Lakers thing. I definitely misremembered that group. I thought Howard missed more time than he did and his numbers were actually pretty good despite never really being fully healthy. It was Gasol that missed a ton of time and Nash never really blended with Kobe as well as many thought he would. 

Point is still the same…people are worried/hoping that the chemistry will hold them back and I just don’t see that being the case with this team. It’s unique because it isn’t a team with one guy that always needs the ball. Everyone can shoot, everyone can pass and they are willing to do both. The chemistry might not be perfect right away, but talent wins out in the end. And it’s "in their prime" talent at that. 

 

 

 

 

[juves4783Participant]

i think comparing those teams to golden state is like comparing apples to oranges.  why?  because the salary cap.  those other teams had super starting line-ups but a super team…no.  in golden st., we are talking about a team that were champs and runner-ups in the last 2 years that have kept their core starting three and key role players while adding a kevin durant.  there is no team you mentioned that has a starting lineup as good as golden st. has now or a bench that even comes close to what west, iggy and livingston bring to the table.  and that’s not considering early bird rights to rush and mcadoo, a mid-level exception and who knows how many other vets take the min. to join the ride.

  

[juves4783Participant]

i think comparing those teams to golden state is like comparing apples to oranges.  why?  because the salary cap.  those other teams had super starting line-ups but a super team…no.  in golden st., we are talking about a team that were champs and runner-ups in the last 2 years that have kept their core starting three and key role players while adding a kevin durant.  there is no team you mentioned that has a starting lineup as good as golden st. has now or a bench that even comes close to what west, iggy and livingston bring to the table.  and that’s not considering early bird rights to rush and mcadoo, a mid-level exception and who knows how many other vets take the min. to join the ride.

  

[VRod305Participant]

We have a team that won a title and was a minute from another one. They added an MVP and scoring champ in his PRIME.

Someone said a few days ago that the Cavs came off of Barnes in the finals. Those shots are going to Kevin Durant. I can’t see how this team doesn’t win 75-80 regular season games and a title. At some point, LeBron isn’t going to be able to carry a team. If Durant stays 2-3 years with Golden State, they’ll win titles every year until Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and the Sixers take them out in 2018-19 and go on to win the next 10 titles.

[VRod305Participant]

We have a team that won a title and was a minute from another one. They added an MVP and scoring champ in his PRIME.

Someone said a few days ago that the Cavs came off of Barnes in the finals. Those shots are going to Kevin Durant. I can’t see how this team doesn’t win 75-80 regular season games and a title. At some point, LeBron isn’t going to be able to carry a team. If Durant stays 2-3 years with Golden State, they’ll win titles every year until Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and the Sixers take them out in 2018-19 and go on to win the next 10 titles.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Let’s be real here.  The GSW were a phantom flagrant away from repeating as champs and completing the most historic season ever.

They add KD, another 50/40/90 club shooter… in his prime.  He adds size, better defense, better scoring… better everything to the Warriors.

There is no way this goes bad unless there are some serious injuries.  We are about to see one of the most historic runs in the modern era.

I don’t think a run of 3 (additional) rings in 4 years is out of the relm at all, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw the first 4 in a row in half a century.

Kevin Durant has played his whole career with Russ Westbrook, meaning sharing the ball with Curry and Thompson is going to seem like a privelage.  None of their players have any selfishness in their game.  Including KD.  I expect a pretty seemless transition and I am a firm believer that they will win 75 games next year.  Book it.

 

 

 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Let’s be real here.  The GSW were a phantom flagrant away from repeating as champs and completing the most historic season ever.

They add KD, another 50/40/90 club shooter… in his prime.  He adds size, better defense, better scoring… better everything to the Warriors.

There is no way this goes bad unless there are some serious injuries.  We are about to see one of the most historic runs in the modern era.

I don’t think a run of 3 (additional) rings in 4 years is out of the relm at all, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw the first 4 in a row in half a century.

Kevin Durant has played his whole career with Russ Westbrook, meaning sharing the ball with Curry and Thompson is going to seem like a privelage.  None of their players have any selfishness in their game.  Including KD.  I expect a pretty seemless transition and I am a firm believer that they will win 75 games next year.  Book it.

 

 

 

 

[dudo670Participant]

 None of the super teams you mentioned had such great players all in or around the peak of their respective careers. Durant is right around the peak of his career, Curry is getting close to his peak, Thompson and Green are the same as Curry just younger. To have arguably (depending on who you are) 4 of the top 15 players in the game who are all in their primes is crazy. The Heat had arguably two of the top 5 players and another top 15 player on their team, which is closest to Golden State, but even at that, that one less player is a lot.

Then when you look at the Lakers in 2012, Kobe was still a top 10 player but he wasn’t playing as well as he played in his prime and unlike that Heat team and next year’s Warriors team, they didn’t have arguably two top 5 players. Howard was a top 10 player at the time as well, but by that point Gasol and Nash were fringe top 20 players. The Lakers picked up a washed up Malone and washed up Payton that were simply title chasing in 04, it wasn’t like those guys were in their primes.

 

 The Celtics in 08 traded for a Garnett who was still a top 10 player, but Ray Allen was older and wasn’t as good and was probably a fringe top 25 and Pierce was still good but probably a top 15 player at best. Then those guys going to Brooklyn was a horrible trade on Brooklyn and Billy King’s front. The 3 Boston guys were old and Deron Williams had started to go down hill, Joe Johnson was old, and only Brook Lopez was reaching his peak. 

I agree that the 2017 Warriors are not a shoo-in to win the title because in a 7 game series anything can happen (like this year), but barring injury I would be shocked if they didn’t win 65 games. I’m not sure they’ll win 70 again because I think Kerr will rest them up next year towards the end but they’ll coast for much of the season 

 

[dudo670Participant]

 None of the super teams you mentioned had such great players all in or around the peak of their respective careers. Durant is right around the peak of his career, Curry is getting close to his peak, Thompson and Green are the same as Curry just younger. To have arguably (depending on who you are) 4 of the top 15 players in the game who are all in their primes is crazy. The Heat had arguably two of the top 5 players and another top 15 player on their team, which is closest to Golden State, but even at that, that one less player is a lot.

Then when you look at the Lakers in 2012, Kobe was still a top 10 player but he wasn’t playing as well as he played in his prime and unlike that Heat team and next year’s Warriors team, they didn’t have arguably two top 5 players. Howard was a top 10 player at the time as well, but by that point Gasol and Nash were fringe top 20 players. The Lakers picked up a washed up Malone and washed up Payton that were simply title chasing in 04, it wasn’t like those guys were in their primes.

 

 The Celtics in 08 traded for a Garnett who was still a top 10 player, but Ray Allen was older and wasn’t as good and was probably a fringe top 25 and Pierce was still good but probably a top 15 player at best. Then those guys going to Brooklyn was a horrible trade on Brooklyn and Billy King’s front. The 3 Boston guys were old and Deron Williams had started to go down hill, Joe Johnson was old, and only Brook Lopez was reaching his peak. 

I agree that the 2017 Warriors are not a shoo-in to win the title because in a 7 game series anything can happen (like this year), but barring injury I would be shocked if they didn’t win 65 games. I’m not sure they’ll win 70 again because I think Kerr will rest them up next year towards the end but they’ll coast for much of the season 

 

[properbreaksParticipant]

I have to agree with all of the points that flybobby made. I was thinking of a few super teams and the Nets were one of the teams that I thought about, but kind of forgot about the Lakers when Malone and Payton joined on board. It surprised me that they lost, but I was amazed that they lost handily to a team of no names in the Pistons. Yeah, this is a team with a bunch of guys in their prime, but Curry has re-occurring injuries and the type of injury that KD had, is known to be re-occurring also.

I don’t get when people say that they are unbeatable. They just added a super player, but the super player that they added is not a big man. Matter of fact, they got smaller. Zaza is pretty old and isn’t a shot blocker. Soon as they get Durant, the Spurs acquire Gasol to pound them even more. Cleveland and San Antonio still could beat them and they now have the solution of how to beat them. I’d be surprised to see Cleveland stand still and not do anything and the Spurs might pull off another move. Trust me, it’s a lot of good NBA players in the league pissed off about this right now and ready to find a way to beat the Warriors.

[properbreaksParticipant]

I have to agree with all of the points that flybobby made. I was thinking of a few super teams and the Nets were one of the teams that I thought about, but kind of forgot about the Lakers when Malone and Payton joined on board. It surprised me that they lost, but I was amazed that they lost handily to a team of no names in the Pistons. Yeah, this is a team with a bunch of guys in their prime, but Curry has re-occurring injuries and the type of injury that KD had, is known to be re-occurring also.

I don’t get when people say that they are unbeatable. They just added a super player, but the super player that they added is not a big man. Matter of fact, they got smaller. Zaza is pretty old and isn’t a shot blocker. Soon as they get Durant, the Spurs acquire Gasol to pound them even more. Cleveland and San Antonio still could beat them and they now have the solution of how to beat them. I’d be surprised to see Cleveland stand still and not do anything and the Spurs might pull off another move. Trust me, it’s a lot of good NBA players in the league pissed off about this right now and ready to find a way to beat the Warriors.

[Author]

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