The Golden State Warriors look like they will be one of the teams with legitimate NBA Championship aspirations this season. They currently have the best record in the league at 11-2 as they are one of three teams right now to have an offensive rating and defensive rating in the top 10.
The scariest part about the Warriors is that they could be even better in just a few weeks. They are having this level of success without two key cogs in their rotation; James Wiseman and Klay Thompson.
Wiseman is recovering from a patellar injury he suffered last season during his rookie campaign. Thompson is working his way back from an ACL injury suffered in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals and a ruptured Achilles that occurred in November of 2020.
Getting both of them in the mix will only make the Warriors more dangerous.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Warriors’ Klay Thompson’s Return Could Be Before Christmas
The Warriors are already motivated to get back to the NBA Finals after missing the postseason the last two years. But, people continue to give them even more bulletin board material to fire them up even more.
“I love it,” Thompson told Sports Illustrated last week, through a defiant grin. “I love it. I hope people keep doubting us. I saw somebody on the TV the other day talking about, The Warriors aren’t contenders because they’ve had a soft schedule. Buddy, we got the MVP, a defensive player of the year. That kind of disrespect bothers me. We have so many champions, guys who have done it in the highest pressure moments, and you’re still gonna question our ability? I love it. But whatever. That’s what talking heads are paid to do.”
This is a deep, talented Warriors team that is primed to make another postseason run. They have a supporting cast that has already stepped up multiple times this season to help carry the load and will only get better with time.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Warriors’ Klay Thompson’s Return Could Be Before Christmas
But, getting Thompson back is what could really push them over the edge. With him back in the lineup, the rotation gets that much stronger and deeper. Draymond Green knows reaching their ultimate goal is more easily attainable with Thompson in the mix.
“We need Klay back,” Green said. “That will be a huge boost for us. But in the meantime, guys are stepping up, guys are playing well and we’re in a good groove.”
Thompson will likely need some time to knock off the rust, as he hasn’t appeared in an NBA game in over two years. There is just no way to replicate the speed and physicality of the game in practice, so he will need some time to reacclimate himself.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Warriors’ Klay Thompson’s Return Could Be Before Christmas
If he is able to return close to the level that he was prior to the injuries, the Golden State Warriors could be considered favorites to win the NBA Finals.
