With Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston and DeMarcus Cousins gone, and Klay Thompson recovering from a torn ACL, many have already poured dirt on the Warriors' grave.
We already know Thompson believes those people are, well "ignorant."
The five-time defending Western Conference champions still have Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Thompson when he returns from injury. The Dubs also acquired 23-year-old All-Star D'Angelo Russell in the sign-and-trade that sent Durant to the Brooklyn Nets. So, perhaps the funeral for the Warriors was a tad premature.
If rumors of the Warriors' demise have been greatly exaggerated, how long does this core have to be true championship contenders? Thompson believes the future remains very bright for the Bay Area's favorite sons.
"Our management does a great job of finding guys who fit our system," Thompson told ESPN's Cari Champion. "We'll carve out a nice role for them. I'm excited. I still think we have five great years ahead of us. Maybe even longer. So I would not count us out. Not this year, the next year or the year after that."
[RELATED: Can Looney take leap into even bigger Dubs role next year?]
Sports
With an array of talent and a championship pedigree, there's no reason to scoff at Thompson's proclamation.
As long as Curry, Green and Russell can tread water until Thompson returns from his injury, the Warriors should be right in the thick of the newly revamped Western Conference.
Dead the dynasty might not be.
