The Golden State Warriors have gotten off to a less-than-desirable start after making five straight runs to the NBA Finals. Losses to the Los Angeles Clippers in the home opener and the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road have been reason to question whether this team, as currently constructed, is capable of making the playoffs.

The Warriors have dominated the Western Conference for the past half-decade, but NBA players aren't giving them the vote of confidence after they were blown out by 19 and 28 points in their first two games.

Via Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated:

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“In a text exchange with one NBA player who has suited up against the Warriors this season, I asked how far the five-time NBA Finalist could fall this season. The response: Out of the playoffs. After getting pulverized by the Clippers and Thunder to open the season, Golden State got untracked on Monday with a win over New Orleans. Golden State did surrender 123 points in that game and have not given up fewer than 120-points—120—in any of the three games this season.”

The win over an undermanned Pelicans team with no Jrue Holiday, no Derrick Favors, and no Zion Williamson means little besides getting the first win of the season in the bag.

The prospect of missing the playoffs becomes very real when the Warriors have to face teams like the Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers four times each in the regular season, which could account for the losses that can well take them out of postseason consideration.