Warriors Playoff Preview

What a difference a season makes for the #1 seed warriors who became the fifth team in NBA history to win more than 67 games in a season.

Last year the Warriors were a big disappointment losing to their divisional foes, the Los Angeles Clippers, in the first round playoffs.

After all, the 2013-2014 season had high expectations -- the Warriors made consecutive playoffs for the first time in twenty years. Losing to the hated Clippers wound up costing Marc Jackson his job, whether just or not the Warriors brass did not feel Jackson was the man to lead them to the promise land.

Around this time last year I wrote on the Steve Kerr hiring and how fans should trust Jerry West and the Warriors long-term plan. It was unpopular to fire Marc Jackson, but a year later it turned out to be the right decision.

Coach Kerr’s strongest accomplishment has to be the improvement of the defense. The Warriors led the league in point differential with 10.1 (points scored to opponents point scored); interestingly enough the Clippers were second with a 6 point differential. The only other NBA teams to have a double digit point differential ended up winning an NBA Championship.

Additionally, Steve Kerr has managed his players minutes to perfection. He's balanced consistent playing time while maintaining a healthy super-star roster. Last year the main reason the Warriors were bounced first round was due to Bogut and Azeli's injuries. There was no down-low presence to defend Blake or Griffin.

This year, a health Warriors squad are heavily favored to beat the New Orleans, Pelicans. Even Anthony Davis, a phenomenal third year athletic center can hope to slow them down but not beat them in seven.

The long and talented power forward / center poses a problem but I don't see him being able to out power Bogut and especially if the Warriors double up with Draymond Green. Even an amateur like me knows you let the other Pelicans beat you. So Steve Kerr should have no problem executing.

I predict the Warriors win in five games and get some rest before facing the Grizzlies or Trail Blazers in the 2nd round.

Let the NBA Playoffs begin!