The Golden State Warriors are heading into the 2017-18 campaign coming off a dominating run through the playoffs that saw them earn another NBA title that nearly went unblemished.

All of this has made it hard for former NBA head coach Jeff Van Gundy to see the Warriors get dethroned in the playoffs anytime soon via Marc Stein of the New York Times.

kevin durant warriors
Jason Miller/Getty Images

The former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy, now an ESPN television analyst, shares that view. Referring to the Bulls of the late 1990s, whom Jordan led to a second burst of three consecutive titles after ending his dalliance with baseball and returning to the sport he redefined, Van Gundy said, “I don’t think they ever started with the kind of talent advantage that the Warriors have.”

The prospect of Golden State losing four games in one playoff series, Van Gundy said, “seems almost impossible to me.”

“Minus a major injury,” he continued, “I just can’t see how a team could score well enough against them by putting offensive players out there and still have enough defenders to be able to guard them.”

Article Continues Below
More Warriors News
Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Draymond Green (23) walk off the court after game seven of the first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center
Why Warriors’ Stephen Curry won’t follow in Draymond Green’s podcast footstepsJosue Pavon ·
Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) hugs Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) after a game at the Chase Center
Warriors’ Draymond Green relives Klay Thompson’s epic Game 6 vs. ThunderJosue Pavon ·
Klay Thompson with his dog Rocco.
Klay Thompson’s beloved dog Rocco passes away at 13Kenzo Fukuda ·
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) holds onto the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth quarter during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Chase Center. Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Mavericks ‘blueprint’ cited for Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga trade strategyJake Faigus ·
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
Warriors rumors: 1 major complication for Jonathan Kuminga trade scenariosJulian Ojeda ·
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) stands on the court before a play against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Chase Center.
Nets rumors: ‘Current expectation’ on Jonathan Kuminga offer sheet comes with trade twistZachary Weinberger ·

Golden State has put together a roster that features four premier All-Star caliber players including two former league MVP award winners. Even with the addition of Kevin Durant, they were able to become a more efficient and both ends of the floor.

Warriors villains antiheroes
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

What has further fueled this notion is that the front office was able to keep nearly all of their players that became free agents this past offseason while also adding more depth to the roster. There has been much shifting around the league with teams attempting to better position themselves against the Warriors, but it's hard at this point to see any of the other teams as serious challengers.

Things could change as the season rolls on, but until shown otherwise Golden State is still head and shoulders above the rest of the league.