After an offseason that saw seismic change to the Warriors' roster, many already have counted the Dubs out of the Western Conference playoff picture.
With the Lakers adding Anthony Davis, the Clippers acquiring Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the Jazz trading for Mike Conley and the Rockets swapping Chris Paul for Russell Westbrook, the Warriors' path to the playoffs looks a lot tougher than in years past. Couple that with the loss of Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala, DeMarcus Cousins and Shaun Livingston, and you have a recipe for a possible transition season by the Bay.
Of course, these are the Warriors we are talking about.
Naturally, the notion of missing playoffs seems absurd to the likes of Steph Curry, and it left Draymond Green at a loss for words.
"People say we're not going to make the playoffs ... um ... that's crazy to me," Green told ESPN's Rachel Nichols after an extended pause. "There's actually some people who think we won't make the playoffs ... I have a hard time believing that. I'm not saying it's not possible. Anything is possible. But I have a tough time believing we won't make the playoffs."
Green, who signed an extension with the Warriors this offseason, will play a big part in keeping the Warriors in the playoff race early in the season.
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With Klay Thompson expected to be out until at least February, it will fall on Curry, Green and D'Angelo Russell to shoulder the load against a Western Conference freshly frothing at the mouth to knock off the wounded kings.
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The regular season will be more important than it has in years past for the Warriors. They no longer can coast to a playoff berth. They will have to be locked in every night, as even one slip-up could be the difference between making the playoffs and sitting out the postseason.
But with whispers of their demise circulating, expect Green and the Dubs to come out of the gates locked in and ready to silence all of their detractors.
