Despite the injury to Kevin Durant's right calf, most people expect the Warriors to be able to handle their business in the Western Conference finals against the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Warriors proved they were still a force to be reckoned with even without KD by beating the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of their second-round NBA playoff series to send their rivals packing.
So, a Blazers team without Jusuf Nurkic and potentially Rodney Hood shouldn't pose much of a threat to the two-time defending champions, right?
One former Warrior couldn't disagree more.
Stephen Jackson was a guest on Tuesday's edition of FOX Sports 1's "Undisputed" and shot down the idea that the Warriors are still a championship-caliber team if Durant can't return. In fact, Jackson picked the Blazers to win the series in six games.
.@DaTrillStak5: The Warriors are not a championship team without KD right now -- 4 years ago, maybe, but not right now. They need KD. @ShannonSharpe: KD makes them unbeatable, but they can still go win this chip without him.
Stak: Dame and CJ are going to say different. pic.twitter.com/bcfx7XPdav— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) May 14, 2019
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"I'm going Portland [against the @warriors] in 6 because the @trailblazers will win Game 1 or 2." - @RealSkipBayless pic.twitter.com/x7Q1gSW4jq— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) May 14, 2019
Talk about zigging when everyone else is zagging.
Saying the Blazers will win Game 1 or 2 isn't a stretch but picking them to win the series outright seems like a bit much.
[RELATED: Previewing Warriors-Blazers with NBC Sports Northwest]
While Durant will miss Game 1 and most likely Game 2, the star forward could return later on in the series should the Dubs find themselves in another battle.
Stack Jack certainly seems crazy now, but don't be surprised if this series goes the distance.
Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum have been playing on another level in the playoffs, and if the Blazers can find a way to slow down Steph Curry, they'll have a puncher's chance to knock off the king. Portland has been a feel-good story of the playoffs, but unfortunately, this isn't a Disney movie.
