The Golden State Warriors started the 2013-2014 season rather slow. After going 14-13 until mid-December, the Dubs have won their last eight game and they have set route for even greater things to come. The truth is that prior to the start of the season, the Warriors were considered as one of the most powerful teams in the West. However, their beginning wasn’t as good as all the fans of the team expected.
Nonetheless, now, the Dubs have started to show their teeth. They took advantage of the fact that several teams in the NBA experienced major injuries and they put the pedal to the metal.
Stephen Curry is continuing to shoot in very good rates, just like he did during the 2012-2013 season. Curry is averaging 23.2 points per contest, while shooting 45.0 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from downtown but his numbers have improved during the last few games.
Klay Thompson is following a similar pace. The 23-year old guard is putting up 19.3 points and also 3.3 assists per game. He is also shooting 45.5 percent from the floor and 41.1 percent from downtown. The two of them are showing the way for the Dubs, who currently are the hottest team in the NBA. Curry and Thompson also form the best-shooting backcourt duo in the league.
David Lee is playing at All-Star level, too. Whilst he had some ups and downs, he is now delivering with consistency for Golden State. He is averaging 18.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, while the double-double is almost certain for him each night.
Andrew Bogut and Andre Iguodala complete a very powerful starting lineup for Head Coach Mark Jackson, who also has some valuable players available on his bench. Marreese Speights, Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green all contribute when needed. Depth and quality off the bench is a major constitution for any team come playoff time. The Warriors are certainly a team that has both.
Golden State currently ranks third in the league in three-point percentage. In fact, when Curry or Thompson catch fire from beyond the arc, which they usually do, then it’s really difficult for any opponent to stop them.
With the way the Warriors are currently playing, we could say that they will be one of the top contenders for the title in the Western Conference this season. However, it’s not just their current performance that forces us to admit they will be one of the teams-protagonists this season. Even prior to the start of the season and after the acquisition of Andre Iguodala, the Warriors seemed like one of the top-3 teams in the West, in regards to quality and quantity of options.
Golden State currently ranks sixth in the West with a 22-13 record. However, the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers are just two games ahead of them, so the Dubs could reach the fourth seed of the conference within a week. No matter if they do so or not, they should be definitely considered as one of the top contenders the title not only in their conference but for the Larry O’Brien trophy, too.
Ron Leyba is the content manager of Fantasy Basketball Money Leagues – premier source of fantasy basketball updates, rankings and rumors. For more of his fantasy basketball updates, follow Fantasy Basketball Money Leagues Google+ account.