The Dubs enter as heavy favorites to win it all. However, the preseason suggested some vulnerabilities. The starting All-Star four seem absolutely ready, though they haven't played together much. In both games against the Lakers, one star was on the bench.
But the bench players are another matter. Against the Lakers last night, they were the gang that couldn't shoot. The Lakers enter the season with a much more productive bench.
Add to this the mystery of Patrick McCaw, that the Dubs were treating like a star of the future. He didn't sign either of the generous contracts he was offered, and is reportedly not even talking to the club. That's a loss to the bench, though also an opportunity for someone to step up. So far, it doesn't look like anyone has.
The vulnerability seems to be on the wings, and perhaps at the point. The Warriors need production out of the second unit, and don't want to depend on the veterans who will be crucial for the playoffs. They hope that Jonas Jerebko will be a three point threat, something the second unit lacked last year. But the preseason didn't show it.
The starting five looks solid, though, with Damian Jones and Kevon Looney ready to be the big until the much anticipated entry of All-Star acquisition DeMarcus Cousins. Jordan Bell seems more of a project but has a lot of potential.
Maybe the sloppy play of the reserves against the Lakers will turn out to be just a learning experience. And the overall team will look different by the time the season actually starts on Tuesday against the Thunder.
