Bleacher Report Snubs Warriors in Pre-Season Power Rankings

Despite the return of two-time MVP Steph Curry, Bleacher Report slighted Golden State as a top-10 team for the upcoming season.

Bleacher Report published their top 10 teams as the defending champion Lakers, Clippers, defending Eastern Conference champion Heat, Bucks, Nuggets, Nets, Celtics, 76ers, Mavericks and Jazz.

The Warriors were slotted in at No. 11, ranking above Toronto, Portland, Indiana, Houston, Orlando and Oklahoma City; all playoff teams last year in the NBA bubble. The biggest factor in Bleacher Report’s decision is Klay Thompson’s devastating Achilles injury. 

“An Achilles injury to Klay Thompson makes the Golden State Warriors a borderline playoff team even with Stephen Curry back in the starting lineup,” Greg Swartz wrote.

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 A lineup featuring five-time All-NBA Curry, former No. 1 pick Wiggins, Kelly Oubre Jr., former Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green and the recent No. 2 pick James Wiseman is a potentially exciting bunch, but the Western Conference is at its most competitive.

This NBA offseason has been full of moves beyond Silicon Valley. The Lakers re-tooled their depth with the acquisitions of Schroeder, Matthews and Gasol while poaching Harrell from their hometown rival, all while keeping Caldwell-Pope and Kuzma. The Bucks traded for Jrue Holiday, the Clippers signed Serge Ibaka, the Heat acquired Bradley while the Nets and the 76ers upgraded their coaching staff and front office.

After the Warriors ruled the NBA with an iron fist for half a decade, this is a big season for the franchise to continue their dynasty after taking a year off with the loss of Kevin Durant in free agency and season-ending injuries to Curry and Thompson.

The season begins December 22.

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