The Warriors Dominate. What’s Next?

The Golden State Warriors are the 2018 NBA Champions. More than that, they have won 3 titles in 4 years and can now count themselves among the NBA dynasties. With their immense talent, and the essential components of that talent--Kevin Durrant, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green--still in their primes, Golden State can now set their sites on proving they are the best team in NBA history. Yet, as dominant as the Warriors are and have been, plenty of questions have already arisen for the 2019 season, and a contentious battle is brewing for the next NBA crown. Many are already forgetting the Houston Rockets, a team that must be suffering tremendous frustration. The Rockets had the Warriors on the ropes, with a 3-2 lead and all of the momentum. Then they lost perhaps their most essential player in Chris Paul for the final two games. Even without Paul, the Rockets enjoyed leads in both games. Certainly, they must feel that this championship was rightfully theirs, but for bad luck. And they have no reason to think they won’t best Golden State if healthy next season. Most assume that the next champion will come from the West. But don't overlook the Boston Celtics, who came within a hair of making the NBA Finals. This was a team without two all-star players, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, both lost to injury. An excellent team that adds two all-stars should be considered a threat. Though they probably require more maturation, the 76ers have an outside shot of bringing yet another title to Philadelphia as their collection of young stars has almost unlimited potential. But the biggest story of the offseason by far will be The Decision 3.0. Where will the best player in NBA history (that’s right!), LeBron James land? James made a herculean effort to carry his ragtag Cavaliers all the way to the finals, but there is little chance he will wish to finish his prime in such poor company. He could create a super team by signing with the already loaded Rockets or 76ers. But the offshore betting odds suggest that he is leaning towards joining the Los Angeles Lakers and restoring that venerable franchise to glory. The gossip of the moment says that James has already made his decision. His son has agreed to attend and play ball at a high profile LA high school. James has begun development deals with Hollywood big shots. His long-standing desire to enter show business is no secret. If Los Angeles is the destination, it will be a fascinating situation to watch. James will play, arguably for the first time, with a true, top-level point guard who focuses on setting up players, in Lonzo Ball. Imagine LBJ being fed the ball in mismatches, or wide open, rather than having to create for himself. There is a good chance he will be able to draw another star into his orbit, such as Thunder free agent, Paul George. Even then, the Warriors will be favored. But the NBA will be more interesting than it has been in years, with several viable challengers.