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 Led by league Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry and first-year
coach Steve Kerr, the Warriors capped a 67-win season by winning
their first NBA title in 40 years last June yet somehow failed to
make believers out of their competition.
During an offseason of opining, Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc
Rivers implied that Golden State were lucky to avoid injury and his
team during their title run while Houston shooting guard James
Harden said he should have won the MVP award over Curry.
Even a recent poll of NBA general managers revealed that most
project the Cleveland Cavaliers to win this season's title. The
Warriors were voted third behind the San Antonio Spurs, reflecting
skepticism in the current title holders.
"I apologize for us being healthy," Curry sarcastically said. "I
apologize for us playing who was in front of us. I apologize for all
the accolades we received as a team and individually. I'm very,
truly sorry, and we'll rectify that situation this year."
Golden State's validity as champions will be severely tested in the
Western Conference, and potentially again by the LeBron James-led
Cavaliers whom they beat in the 2015 NBA Finals.
Cleveland return with All-Star forward Kevin Love, back after
missing most of the playoffs with injury. Guard Kyrie Irving is
recovering from a knee ailment and will also rejoin the team
considered the clear favorite in the East.
The San Antonio Spurs made the biggest offseason splash by acquiring
top free agent forward LaMarcus Aldridge as well as veteran David
West.
Aldridge, a four-time All-Star, will be a huge jolt to coach Gregg
Popovich's championship core and, if he fits in, could shift the
balance of power.
AGING KOBE
The Oklahoma City Thunder are trying to re-establish their own
powerful standing with first-year coach Billy Donovan after missing
the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.
Former MVP Kevin Durant played just 27 games due to a foot fracture
last year. He enters a contract season, and recently publicly
sparred with a media member over rumors that he will depart the
Thunder and standout team mate Russell Westbrook following the
upcoming campaign.
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The Clippers had a busy offseason, initially losing free agent
center DeAndre Jordan to the Dallas Mavericks before the big man
changed his mind and returned.
Coach Rivers has upgraded the team's bench in hopes of finally
advancing past the second round for the first time during his
tenure.
New Orleans standout Anthony Davis will take the next step in his
rising career, while aging Kobe Bryant may be approaching his final
steps in what is the last year of his Los Angeles Lakers contract.
In the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Bulls are hoping star-crossed
talent Derrick Rose can overcome his health battles and make them a
contender again.
Rose is currently out with a facial fracture, the latest in his long
list of tough breaks, as the Bulls recalibrate with new coach Fred
Hoiberg.
Atlanta were the Cinderella story last season by winning a
franchise-record 60 games and reaching the Eastern Conference
Finals, and will try to prove their run was not a fluke.
Washington and Milwaukee are a pair of young, talented rosters
trying to advance forward while the New York Knicks are hoping to
reach respectability following a 17-win campaign.
The Warriors may begin their new quest without coach Kerr, who is
sidelined following back surgeries, but they will have ample
motivation as they push to hit back at doubters with another banner
year.
(Reporting by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank Pingue)
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