Former Golden State Warriors forward David West believes that the real threat to the Dubs' NBA dominance is in the East, in the form of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Most league followers would peg the Houston Rockets as the biggest threat to the Warriors' ironclad grip on the Larry O'Brien Trophy. James Harden and company, after all, not only held a 3-2 lead over the two-time defending champions in last year's Western Conference Finals but also led them by double-digits at home in Game 7.
Meanwhile, others believe Paul George's ascent to legitimate MVP contention combined with the overall athletic force of Russell Westbrook and his other teammates makes the Oklahoma City Thunder most likely to dethrone Golden State.
However, David West has a different opinion and said that the Bucks could be Golden State's most formidable foe in the playoffs.
During a recent appearance on FOX Sports' “First Things First,” West, who retired after last season, singled out the league-leading Milwaukee Bucks for that distinction.
“I think their biggest challenge is gonna be in the East,” West said during a recent appearance on FOX Sports' “First Things First,' per Golden State of Mind's Daniel Hardee.
“I’m fearful of Milwaukee, they have a lot of guys wired the right way. Not chasing the fame, but grinding and gritty…and at the right place in their careers.”
The Bucks have been the best team in the NBA this season, and it's not particularly close. They own the league's best record by several games and are the only team in basketball to rank top-five in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
The NBA has never seen a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo, either. Milwaukee is 1-1 against Golden State this season, beating Steve Kerr's squad by double digits at Oracle Arena in December.
Are the Warriors title favorites? Absolutely. As West suggests, though, their third consecutive championship is far from a sure thing, and the presence of an elite team like the Bucks is one of the biggest reasons why.
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