2015-16 NBA Season Preview: Golden State Warriors

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Golden State Warriors

2014-15

Offseason Roundup

Re-signed Draymond Green (5/$82M)

Re-signed Leandro Barbosa (1/$2.5M)

Projected Starting 5

• PG Stephen Curry
• SG Klay Thompson
• SF Harrison Barnes
• PF Draymond Green
• C Andrew Bogut

MVP: Stephen Curry

Headlining the 2015-16 "no brainer" category is Curry proving once again he's the Warriors' most valuable player.

The winner of the league MVP award for his stellar play in 2014-15, "The Chef" solidified his supreme status among the Association's elite with eye-popping regular season averages: 23.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists, two steals, and a PER of 28 while shooting 48.7 percent from the floor, 44.3 percent from beyond the arc, and 91.4 from the free-throw line.

The 27-year-old led the NBA in three-pointers made (286), total steals (163) and free-throw percentage.

Although head coach Steve Kerr called Green the "heart and soul of the team," it's evident the franchise rises and falls with Curry.

Armed with a solid supporting cast and an impressive cumulative team IQ, the Warriors are likely set for the foreseeable future with the two-time All-Star leading the way.

Moreover, Dubs fans should be relieved that Curry doesn't plan on playing anywhere else.

Breakout Player: Festus Ezeli

Ezeli hasn't played much during his three-year pro career.

As rookie in 2012-13, the Vanderbilt product logged 1,120 minutes (14.4 minutes per game). By comparison, Curry played 2,983 minutes that year.

After missing the entire 2013-14 campaign with a knee injury, the 6-foot-11 Nigerian returned to action at the start of last season. In and out of Kerr's rotation throughout 2014-15, Ezeli came in handy during the Warriors' playoff run and championship series versus the Cleveland Cavaliers.

If the Warriors value Ezeli as much as they say they do, he will remain a serviceable back-up to the oft-injured Bogut. And if given additional playing time next season, he projects to take a step forward based on his PER 36 averages last year of 14.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and three blocks.

Season Expectations

Various transactions this offseason have only made the upper echelon of the Western Conference stronger: the San Antonio Spurs bolstered their front line, the Houston Rockets improved at the one-spot, the Los Angeles Clippers re-tooled, and the Oklahoma City Thunder, if healthy, can give the best teams in the league a run for their money.

Despite these potential obstacles, the "Boys from the Bay" are well-equipped to defend their 2015 title.

For veteran-laden squads like the Warriors, continuity is paramount - stability within personnel, coaching, and franchise culture play a vital role in their ability to withstand the best efforts of the 29 other teams on a nightly basis.

With championship experience under their belts, the Warriors should be favored to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy in 2016.