The Golden State Warriors are the NBA's current dynasty, winners of three of the last four NBA Championships. But it appears that since starting last season,  they view the regular season as a chore.

To the Warriors, especially with their influx of talent, the regular season is the prelude to the real season: the NBA Playoffs. Last season, they struggled without Stephen Curry who was injured during the post-All Star break stretch run. Even with Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green tow, the Warriors struggled to the end of the season. A blow out to the Utah Jazz before the playoffs signaled a bored Warriors team anticipating the postseason.

But this season, the Warriors can't approach the up-coming stretch run as they did last year. Yes, the acquisition of Boogie Cousins should make them think of the long game. He provides the Warriors much-needed insurance in case of injury or a decline in performance from their original Big Four.

Marcin Gortat, Warriors

But the East is no longer dominated by LeBron James, and he won't be waiting for them in June. Instead, a likely matchup against Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, Joel Embiid or Giannis Antetokounmpo looms. And each team the latter three play for is significantly better via the trade deadline.

Leonard's Toronto Raptors acquired 2013 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies. Embiid's Philadelphia 76ers acquired Tobias Harris from the Los Angeles Clippers. Lastly, Giannis' Milwaukee Bucks traded for sharpshooter Nikola Mirotic from the New Orleans Pelicans. Neither move is as titanic as Durant's or Boogie's signings with the Warriors, but they have made the team's better.

With that said, the Warriors must have a laser focus on their upcoming stretch run. While they are No. 1 in the West, it isn't properly secured. The Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder are two and four games back from the one seed respectively. The Warriors will face the Nuggets twice and the Thunder once more during this stretch.  A lack of focus by the Warriors can make anything happen within the next two months.

Draymond Green

Golden State will have home court in the NBA Finals to mull over. Currently, the Bucks own the NBA's best record, and the Warriors are two games behind them. If the Warriors play at a stagnant pace, they could meet the Bucks in the NBA Finals and not have homecourt advantage. No matter the talent or lack thereof, homecourt advantage plays a significant role in the NBA Playoffs. The Boston Celtics are a prime example of this last season, enjoying homecourt advantage while coming one game from the NBA Finals without Irving.

But true change for the Warriors must come with a shift in thinking. Completing the regular season is a daunting task-especially for talented teams such as the Warriors. While regular season games are designed to fine tune the engine, the postseason is where the glory happens. But because of the talent they possess, the Warriors haven't had to rely on the regular season to prepare for the rigors of the postseason.

But the trade deadline has changed the entire dynamics of the NBA. The Bucks, 76ers and the Raptors have emerged as legit contenders for Golden State's crown. Using this stretch run as a way to clean things up should keep the Warriors focused and ready to take on their challengers. To quote Drake: “The eager beaver could be the collapse of a dam.”

Stephen Curry, Warriors

Of course, the Warriors could ignore this advice and still win the NBA title. They have the best backcourt in the game, the best scorer, the most unique forward at the four and a dominant center when healthy. They could still beat most teams playing at 75%, a benefit only a few pro sports teams have ever possessed. Even with all the new additions, the Warriors are still the favorite.

But as Aubrey Drake Graham alluded to, there are eager beavers in the world. The Warriors have created a dam, and the trade deadline provided a few eager beavers to disrupt it. The best way to combat this scenario is for the Warriors to maintain focus. Winning NBA titles are hard, and the Warriors are in uncharted territory-going for their fourth out of five championships. The remedy for this would be to treat each game with playoff intensity: their talent will take care of itself. With that approach, they can ensure that they are understanding that there are teams who are ready to take their crown at the top.

But all good things must come to an end, it's up to the Warriors to utilize this stretch run to make sure it doesn't happen this June.