Former NBA coach and current NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy believes that the NBA season is over even before it begins and the Golden State Warriors will win the crown. And it will stay this way for a long time if the Warriors’ composition remains the same.
In an interview on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Van Gundy said no team can keep up with the Warriors in the coming season, not even the Cleveland Cavaliers, who recently traded Kyrie Irving for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first-round pick and a 2020 second-round pick. Van Gundy is convinced that the Cavaliers cannot keep up with the Warriors even if they trade the Nets' 2018 first-round pick for another superstar like Paul George.
“We're going to play it out, and the Warriors are going to win. And then next year is going to be the same thing,” said Van Gundy.
Addition of Kevin Durant boost Warriors
Earlier, Van Gundy said the addition of Kevin Durant last season puts the Warriors at a level of a dynasty, with a combination of youth and health. With the Warriors’ caliber, Van Gundy said there’s nothing that will prevent them from winning eight to 10 championships. Based on odds from sportsbooks, the Warriors are a -175 favorite to take home a second straight title, meaning anyone has to bet $175 to win $100. The Cavaliers, for their part, rank second at +425.
In an interview with Marcus Thompson of The Athletic, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said the biggest challenge that his team could face is "complacency" after making it to the finals for three straight years, winning two NBA titles along the way.
Kerr said the Warriors need to keep their competitive edge to stay ahead of their rivals.
Durant’s sacrifice helped Warriors
Durant backed up his words that he wanted the Warriors’ core to stay intact by signing just a two-year deal worth $53 million, $9 million below the maximum amount that he can demand from Golden State. Durant’s generosity allowed the Warriors to sign key players, including Andre Iguodala to a three-year, $48-million contract and backup playmaker Shaun Livingston to a three-year, $24-million contract.
They also signed starting center Zaza Pachulia to a $3.5 million pact and reserves David West and JaVale McGee to one-year deals with a veteran’s minimum salary. The Warriors also added another scoring threat in shooting guard Nick Young, who signed a one-year pact amounting to $5.2 million. Durant’s sacrifice also allowed the Warriors to sign Stephen Curry to a five-year supermax deal worth $201 million.
