The Warriors were expected to be better this season, but few thought the Dubs would open the season on such a roll, especially with Klay Thompson yet to return from his torn Achilles. And yet, Steve Kerr's club sits at an NBA-best 11-2 after 13 games and clearly has been energized by the impending return of the sharpshooting guard.
But while the Warriors' 11-2 start has been impressive, many have pointed to the Warriors' relatively easy schedule as a reason to not fully buy in on their resurrection. Thompson has been irked by the disrespect but hopes it continues once he returns.
"I love it. I love it," Thompson told Sports Illustrated's Howard Beck about people believing the Warriors' start is a mirage. "I hope people keep doubting us. I saw somebody on the TV the other day talking about, 'The Warriors aren't contenders because they've had a soft schedule.' Buddy, we got the MVP, a Defensive Player of the Year. That kind of disrespect bothers me. We have so many champions, guys who have done it in the highest pressure moments, and you're still gonna question our ability? I love it. But whatever. That's what talking heads are paid to do."
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The Warriors' early-season success has been the product of an impressive start from Steph Curry, who took home his second Western Conference Player of the Week award Monday, a stifling defense and depth Golden State hasn't had since the "Strength In Numbers" days.
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Golden State did what good teams do in taking care of business against subpar competition. The Warriors will face a real test Tuesday when they face Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center.
Thompson, meanwhile, continues to grind through a grueling rehab with his return on the horizon, and he is champing at the bit to join a Warriors team that has made an early statement that it is one of the NBA's best.
Golden State Warriors
“You see what we’re doing to start this year?” Thompson told Beck. “And I’m not even out there yet. I’m just so excited.”