Yahoo Autos Are Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors making early case to meet in Western finals?
The first Warriors-Suns matchup is less than week away, but that Nov. 30 game in Phoenix could very well be an early preview of this season’s Western Conference finals.
The Lakers are expected to have a say in that despite playing .500 ball so far.
The Jazz certainly are in the conversation.
The Nuggets will be better once Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. return, while the Clippers will squeak into the postseason and be the toughest seventh or eighth seed ever if they can get Kawhi Leonard back for the playoffs.
The Mavericks and Blazers have a puncher’s chance with Luka Doncic and Damian Lillard, respectively, but all those teams aren’t the Warriors or Suns right now.
The NBA's top two teams are winning with defense first.
The Warriors (16-2) are first in defensive rating while the Suns (15-3) are third. They each have a primary defender who can guard multiple positions — Draymond Green for Golden State, Mikal Bridges for Phoenix.
They both have depth, are top 10 in 3-point shooting percentage, have a clear and defined identity and are well-coached.
The major difference right now is the Warriors have Stephen Curry, who is a leading MVP candidate.
Chris Paul is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer, Devin Booker is a rising superstar, but Curry is one of the game’s top five players who draws so much attention.
You must defend him right inside halfcourt or he’ll pull up from arena logos and knock it down.
Bridges will draw the initial assignment on Curry.
His length, athleticism and ability to move laterally is a problem, but Golden State will force switches to give Curry more favorable matchups.
Paul isn’t backing down from any challenge. Neither is Booker, but Golden State will take those matchups with Curry than Bridges guarding him any day.
On the other end, Deandre Ayton will be a problem if he’s active on the offensive boards. The Warriors don’t have anyone who can handle him in that area, but Draymond Green is all about that life.
He’ll most definitely take on that challenge and try to get in Ayton’s head with physicality and friendly conversation.
Before the shot goes up, Phoenix forces team to either take away the roll to the rim or the 3.
