The Warriors aren’t worried about any other team.
Golden State has jumped out to an 8-1 start and is the clear favorite to win its third straight title and fourth in the last five seasons. But, there are multiple other talented teams hoping to end the Warriors hopes of a three-peat.
Warriors players said they didn't fear anyone, when asked by The Athletic about who they thought could unseat them as NBA champions. Some, however, said the Celtics, led by Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, might be their biggest threat.
“(Boston’s) got a lot of guys who fit right into that style of (small ball) play, with the experience of playing with Kyrie, who isn’t backing down from anyone,” Forward Draymond Green told The Athletic.
“Kyrie has been there and done that, and he’s going to embody that (spirit). Kyrie is going to love that moment, to love being that guy that has been there and showing everyone else the way.”
Warriors star Kevin Durant agreed with Green.
“(The Celtics) have got a deep team,” Durant said. “They’ve got a collection of talented scorers where it’s going to be hard to switch guys on … They’ve got a great coach (in Brad Stevens), a great atmosphere, a great home court advantage, and they’ve got a lot of length. Those are usually the teams that give us trouble.”
Golden State guard Shaun Livingston said the Celtics roster depth could allow them to come close to matching up with his team.
“With their young guys, they’ve got some forces,” Livingston told The Athletic. “You’ve got to throw that (Celtics) team in there. It’s the star power, and it’s the young depth.
“They’re the younger version of us. …They pose a threat. Yeah, they pose a threat.”
The Celtics entered their game against the Bucks on Thursday with a 5-2 record.
