State your case: NBA edition
The Golden State Warriors are the best team in the NBA right now.
As of Tuesday, they are ranked No. 1 in defensive efficiency and No. 3 in offensive efficiency.
They are the highest-scoring team in the NBA with over 110 points per game, and they win their games by an average of 10.9 points per game. That’s the highest-scoring margin since the 95-96 Bulls. You know the team that won 72 games?
The Warriors are straight up killing teams right now. Stephen Curry is widely considered the league MVP and just obliterated the 3-point contest at all-star weekend. Andrew Bogut is one of the best defensive centers in the NBA, and Klay Thompson is one of the most lethal scorers in his own right.
The Warriors are so good that they have two — yes two — former all stars coming off the bench. The Western Conference is incredibly difficult, and there’s no guarantee they’ll make it to the NBA Finals, but Golden State is the best team in the league right now.
Oh, one more thing: Of the seven previous teams to have a double-digit average margin of victory for a season, all but one of those teams won the Finals. The Warriors aren’t just a fun team anymore. They’re the best team in the NBA.
— thomas.sorensen@aggiemail.usu.edu
Twitter: @tomcat340
We are entering a new era with new elite teams in the NBA.
Right now, it’s looking like Golden State is the favorite in the West, while Atlanta is the favorite in the East.
Although the West is obviously the stronger conference, the strongest team in the NBA is the Atlanta Hawks.
The Warriors’ star power has been very impressive so far this season, but it’s Atlanta’s balance of talented players that will give them the advantage in the playoffs.
The Hawks are the first team since the 2010-11 Celtics to feature four of their five starters in the All-Star game. Atlanta is a very well-balanced team, with five players averaging over 12 points per game.
Although Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry have had an amazing year offensively, leading the Warriors’ offense to number one in the league in points per game and assists per game, Golden State’s defense is average, allowing the 15th fewest points per game. Atlanta has approached a more balanced style of play as sixth in the league in points per game, second in assists and fourth in points allowed.
The “Splash Brothers” have put up cute offensive numbers this season, but it’s the tough Atlanta defense that will lead them to a title this year.
— joebaraiolo@gmail.com
Twitter: @joefish_2