Are these Warriors an elite team?

[CrackLaden]

According to Phil Jackson, elite teams must meet the criteria of the 40/20 rule, which is winning 40 games before losing 20. The Warriors are currently 36-16 since the full squad laced up, and appear likely to meet such a standard. Are they elite?

Looking back to the beginning of the season, the Warriors lost their first 6 games, but I think it's realistic to say that they could have won 4 of those games had Jackson played (Dallas, Clippers, Cleveland, Detroit). Give them a 4-2 record in that stretch, and they're 41-17, which would put them in first place in the Pacific Division, and within 1/2 game of the Spurs who they have already beaten twice.

I'm generally not one to speculate TOO much, but perhaps the Dubs are better than we and most people think. One thing that's very telling to me is that with the full lineup, the Warriors have lost back-to-back games only ONCE (@ Dallas and vs. New Orleans). There have been no epic winning streaks like the Spurs, Rockets, Lakers, etc., but they always seem to be in some kind of "7 out of their last 9" kind of stretch.

It's odd...I don't really FEEL like they are a legitimate championship contender, but those numbers certainly make me take a closer look. Perhaps they have a much better chance than everyone assumes.

[floppymoose]

The Warriors have been pretty lucky with injuries etc this season. Beans appendix and Cap'n Jax suspension have been the only real disruptions, and that's less than a lot of teams. I don't think speculating about the record without those outages makes sense.

And no, the Warriors aren't elite. But they are very good.

And where have you been the last two years????

[BooRadley]

CrackLaden no doubt.

[Yi Jian Lian]

we do look pretty good this year

[CupcakeNoFillin]

We're pretty good for a team our size. Imagine how scary we would be with someone like KG on the roster.

[GSWhoopfan]

fff what Phil Jackson says. Id love to see him coach the Bucks or Minny and then lets see what he can do.

i believe Kobe can coach this Lakers squad better than Phil Deez Nutz.

[CrackLaden]

The Warriors have been pretty lucky with injuries etc this season. Beans appendix and Cap'n Jax suspension have been the only real disruptions, and that's less than a lot of teams. I don't think speculating about the record without those outages makes sense.

And no, the Warriors aren't elite. But they are very good.

And where have you been the last two years????

True enough...Baron playing every game is huge.

I've been dead for the last 2 years...been a pretty interesting ride, but things are a little more settled now, which I'm thankful for. Glad to be back around a little bit.

[KR4]

There's a possibility that we could've had a worse record if we went 4-2 in the first 6 games. Perhaps that 0-6 start catapulted them into focus. We definitely rebounded from it with a force and haven't really looked back. If we win 4 of the first 6, maybe we never get that sense of urgency or focus, that would have kept us in this incredible playoff race. Just a thought.

[MightyReds2020]

we aren't elite team, but when we catch fire we could defeat any elite teams in a 7-game series, except maybe the jazz.

[bill curley II]

We wouldn't be just 1/2 a game out of first and on top of the pacific playing the If game, since then, Duncan and Parker wouldn't have gotten hurt, neither would have Bynum. Plus I agree that we wouldn't have gone on a 7 game win streak after a 4-2 start.

[warriortone]

We're not elite, but I guarantee you that we are the only team any of the elite teams doesn't want to face in the first round (except Utah).

[BooRadley]

I think we could actually beat Utah if Nellie opens up the rotation a bit. I mean we were only a couple possessions away from having a 3-0 lead last year. And we blew them out in Oracle during the regular season as well last year. So who knows? We basically didn't have Monta last playoffs.

[CrackLaden]

We wouldn't be just 1/2 a game out of first and on top of the pacific playing the If game, since then, Duncan and Parker wouldn't have gotten hurt, neither would have Bynum. Plus I agree that we wouldn't have gone on a 7 game win streak after a 4-2 start.

Also a fair point. But the record and the standings aren't exactly the overall point...more just speaking in reference to the 40/20 thing and whether or not we fit the mold of a truly elite, albeit unique, team.

Honestly, I could see us winning the title as easily as I could see us slide out of the playoffs...which is part of the intrigue, I suppose.

[DLeagueAllStars]

yeah but we had Monta all three times this season with Utah and that hasnt helped us much

overall, the last two teams I want to see are, Jazz and Spurs.. need to stay out of that bracket

[bill curley II]

I think we'll make the playoffs. In fact, I still see Houston sliding, and us getting the 7th seed and a possible matchup with LA in the first round. Denver is finished IMO. That team has no continuity and is poorly built. They have absolutely no perimeter defense to speak of, and while I like Melo and Camby, the rest of that team should be blown up, starting with AI.

Anyways, a LA GS 1st round series should be entertaining as hell, with high scores, Kobe and Baron going at it down the stretch, but ultimately, we'd have no answer to their massive frontline.

[bill curley II]

I think we'll make the playoffs. In fact, I still see Houston sliding, and us getting the 7th seed and a possible matchup with LA in the first round. Denver is finished IMO. That team has no continuity and is poorly built. They have absolutely no perimeter defense to speak of, and while I like Melo and Camby, the rest of that team should be blown up, starting with AI.

Anyways, a LA GS 1st round series should be entertaining as hell, with high scores, Kobe and Baron going at it down the stretch, but ultimately, we'd have no answer to their massive frontline.

[thetrueth]

While we are as erratic enough to lose to any team but capable enough of beating any team; it's nice to have that ability. Plus we are young, so we know we can be better for several years to come. Kind of feels like we are playing with house money.

[bill curley II]

yeah but we had Monta all three times this season with Utah and that hasnt helped us much

overall, the last two teams I want to see are, Jazz and Spurs.. need to stay out of that bracket

Yep. As close as we were to both games 1 and 2 last year, we really have no answer to Deron. He's just so good at controlling tempo, and strong enough to offset Baron's strength. Monta playing well helps of course but he doesn't have the affect on games like Deron does, especially against us.

[GSWhoopfan]

yeah but we had Monta all three times this season with Utah and that hasnt helped us much

overall, the last two teams I want to see are, Jazz and Spurs.. need to stay out of that bracket

so that means we need the 4th or 5th seed. i do believe we are better than a 7,8 seed. but i do feel that the slightest lack of concentration and we are in the lottery.

[BooRadley]

I think a number 1 seed would be good. If we win our next 23 games we might be able to get that.