NBA

Warriors’ fun-loving spectacle now loathed for juicy NBA year

When trying to assess the 2016-17 NBA landscape, a pointed observation from one of mankind’s late, great philosophers immediately surfaces.

“Everybody pulls for David,” Wilt Chamberlain once said. “Nobody roots for Goliath.”

This season’s NBA Goliath is Golden State. The Warriors were as beloved as Mother Teresa a few years back. Fun to watch with eye-popping shooting and lung-busting movement, the Warriors won a record 73 games last season. But they became a footnote losing in the Finals to a ticked off LeBron James and the Cavaliers. So they added Kevin Durant, arguably one of the planet’s top two players, to their mix with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala.

They became a team many love to hate.

“I have never seen as unique a situation as Golden State has had,” one opposing executive said. “They’ve gone from the team that everybody loved to the team that everybody loves to hate. A lot of it falls on Draymond Green’s behavior during the playoffs.”

Quick refresher: Green hit people in the groin. Thus, a ticked off LeBron.

“Their whole season is based on winning the Finals,” the exec said. “Anything less than winning a title is failure which is a great place to be but it’s hard to do.”

As one veteran scout put it, “They were loved when people didn’t realize how good they were. And then when they got that good and people realized it, they became the Yankees of old.”

The Warriors already have had high drama before the first tipoff. A lengthy ESPN magazine article detailing the dynamic of Green on the team quoted an anonymous Warriors’ executive who called them an unprintable derogative term — “[cowards]” was how it appeared — for their failure to rise above Green’s suspension in the Finals. That set off players and staff.

“The article pissed me off for this reason. If you’re going to call someone a coward, how are you not going to put your name to that quote?” Thompson said. “It’s easy to point at someone and call them a coward, behind a shade or a shield. … To say we played like cowards, and you’re not going to quote the guy who said it? That’s weak to me.”

The season starts Tuesday and a major storyline already is the plague of injuries that could cripple teams. And then there are the teams heavily relying on youth with fingers crossed.

History will be made this season if plotlines hold true. The NBA has never produced the same two teams in three consecutive Finals. Figure it happens this year with the Cavs and Warriors back at it. And even with all their drama already, plan on the Warriors reclaiming the top prize away from James in what would be his seventh consecutive Finals appearance.

Here’s a thumbnail version of how it might go, with last year’s records:

1. Golden State (73-9): The Warriors are the best team. Period. They were No. 1 in points, shooting, 3-point shooting, assists. They won a record 73 games. And they improved their team. Go figure.

J.R. Smith is back.AP

2. Cleveland (57-25): It’s hard to go against defending champs — even harder to go against LeBron James. The Cavs have energy and momentum after winning a title. They lost some pieces but no one who really is going to impact them while adding Mike Dunleavy and Chris Andersen. They have a question at backup center and some health issues, but they resigned J.R. Smith and they have LeBron.

3. San Antonio (67-15): Despite the huge change of no Tim Duncan, the Spurs have basically the same team back — from a 67-win team. They’re replacing Hall of Famer Duncan with Hall of Famer Pau Gasol. They’ll never replace what Duncan meant but if you’re going to try, Gasol is a nice piece to attempt it with. And there’s still Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge and Tony Parker and…

4. Toronto (56-26): So they spell funny. The Raptors finally defended — third fewest points allowed — and went to the Eastern Conference Finals last season. They’ll miss Bismack Biyombo, who had a freakish year off the bench, but there is such a good, positive vibe from their young All-Star — and Olympic — backcourt of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.

5. Los Angeles Clippers (53-29): This is the make-it-or-break-it year. They were dashed by injuries but Doc Rivers kept the team intact for one more shot. They have an All-Star point guard in Chris Paul and a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in center DeAndre Jordan. They should have Blake Griffin all season. Go for it.

6. Boston (48-34): The new darlings in town. They were a good team last year under coach Brad Stevens, then added All-Star Al Horford, crushing the marquee name famine. There’s a versatile, flexible roster where they can play big or small and should take a giant next step.

7. Portland (44-38): The Blazers lost four-fifths of their starters last season and still won 44 games and went to the West semis behind a great explosive young backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. They got Festus Ezeli at a bargain price for depth in a frontcourt that is dependable but not frightening. Few teams play better at home.

Paul GeorgeNBAE via Getty Images

8. Indiana (45-37): Coach Nate McMillan replaces Frank Vogel as the Pacers seek an offensive upgrade: Indy was top 10 in scoring and shooting D, bottom half in both areas on offense. Paul George is at the heart of the team that pushed Toronto to seven first-round games. Myles Turner is a quality piece at center, though young. Jeff Teague over George Hill at point is an up-tempo improvement.

9. Atlanta (48-34): If ever a player had something to prove, it’s Dwight Howard and many are betting he will do just that and have a big year. Al Horford and Jeff Teague are gone but the Hawks still have quality with Paul Millsap and Kent Bazemore and a terrific coach in Mike Budenholzer. The biggest question concerns point guard Dennis Schroder. Often erratic, can he evolve into a true starter?

10. Utah (40-42): Here is maybe the biggest jump by any team. Utah has knocked on the playoff door and this should be the year it opens, though the Jazz must weather the broken-finger loss of star Gordon Hayward at the start. Health is always an issue (Alec Burks, Derrick Favors) but there is young talent including Trey Lyles. Utah added nice vets in George Hill, Joe Johnson and Boris Diaw.

11. Oklahoma City (55-27): Yes, they lost Kevin Durant. But they still have Russell Westbrook, the closest thing to a nightly triple-double machine since Jason Kidd. The Thunder made moves designed to keep Durant in trading Serge Ibaka, acquiring Victor Oladipo and saying bye to Dion Waiters. The frontcourt has good size in Steven Adams and Enes Kanter but no Durant.

12. Detroit (44-38): The Pistons are another team that must weather a key loss to start as Reggie Jackson (knee, thumb) is down for perhaps 20 games, leaving point guard to Ish Smith. But there is great frontcourt depth and talent, led by Andre Drummond and Stanley Johnson. And don’t overlook coach Stan Van Gundy.

13. Memphis (42-40): The Grizzlies made Michael Conley a mega-millionaire. But the biggest plus for a team that used an NBA-record 28 players is the return of All-Star center and defensive stud Marc Gasol. Zach Randolph is, well, Zach Randolph while the Grizz added mending shooter Chandler Parsons.

14. Chicago (42-40): There is a whole different dynamic with the Bulls. Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah are gone, and if that surprises you, please just proceed to the news section now. But the Bulls have intriguing imports in Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo, Robin Lopez and Michael Carter-Williams to blend around Jimmy Butler.

15. Dallas (42-40): Never play poker against a guy named “Slim” and never bet against coach Rick Carlisle. And never plan a retirement bash for Dirk Nowitzki. Dallas benefited most from Golden State’s partial dismembering by welcoming in center Andrew Bogut and forward Harrison Barnes. Now if Deron Williams will get his butt out of the infirmary, Dallas should be in the playoff hunt.

16. Minnesota (29-53): They have Tom Thibodeau on the bench so it wouldn’t be a shock if the T-Wolves make the playoffs. They also have enormous young talent with monster-in-waiting Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine and rookie Kris Dunn. There is depth everywhere. But making the jump from 29 wins to the playoffs is tough, even with new sheriff Tibbs.

17. Knicks (32-50): As Hubie Brown noted, something that was lost amid two teams winning 73 and 67 games last season, is the East had 10 teams at .500 or better. So the playoffs will be tough. The Knicks are not a “super” team — their depth is not what some envision plus they are only the third best team in the Atlantic. And health is a major worry. But they have an undeniable plus factor for the playoffs: eight games against the Nets and Sixers.

18. Washington (41-41): After 46 wins and a trip to the East semis in 2014-15, the Wizards were supposed to make noise last year — at least more than the sound of crashing to mediocrity. New coach Scott Brooks has the monster backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal pinkie swearing they’ll get along. Ian Mahinmi was brought in for physical play but he’s hurt early. Last-season addition Markieff Morris helped late. There’s talent up front, too, with Marcin Gortat, Andrew Nicholson and Otto Porter Jr. Trey Burke brings depth at point.

19. Charlotte (48-34): The Hornets should be better as they are getting back Michael Kidd-Gilchrist after a lost season while retaining Nicolas Batum and have a terrific coach in Steve Clifford. They lost Jeremy Lin, Courtney Lee and Al Jefferson, three useful pieces. With Kemba Walker and Marvin Williams, they must find consistency.

20. Houston (41-41): James Harden will be a viable MVP candidate, scoring almost as many points a night as the Rockets will give up in an average quarter. Mike D’Antoni will make the Rockets fun to watch on offense, though they will torture the senses defensively. They added Ryan Anderson for stretch shooting and Eric Gordon, whose health is always a concern. The Rockets already suffered a stiff blow, losing point guard Patrick Beverley (knee) for up to 20 games.

21. Orlando (35-47): The latest franchise reboot has Frank Vogel as coach. The Magic will make noise but likely end up in the lottery. They added Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo to a mix already populated with Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier, borderline All-Star Nikola Vucevic and bust-out candidate Mario Hezonja. Remade Orlando is a huge question mark.

22. Miami (48-34): The Heat haven’t just turned the page. They’ve opened a new book. The days of the Big Three are long gone but this will not be a collapse. Miami is a winning organization and talent remains in point guard Goran Dragic, center Hassan Whitehead and forward Justise Winslow.

Danilo GallinariNBAE via Getty Images

23. Denver (33-49): Danilo Gallinari is healthy and the Nuggets, with the best homecourt advantage in the NBA, have a wealth of young talent. With inside force Kenneth Faried, they compete and play hard under coach Mike Malone. Will Barton was one of the league’s most improved and Denver had three first-rounders, including Jamal Murray. Denver seeks continued growth by Emmanuel Mudiay and Gary Harris to break a string of three straight years under 40 wins.

24. Milwaukee (33-49): Perhaps no injury will be more impactful than the Bucks losing Khris Middleton to a torn hamstring. With their shooting snuffed, they acquired Tony Snell for Michael Carter-Williams to get perimeter help on both ends. There still is quality youth, led by Greek Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo.

25. New Orleans (30-52): One year ago, Anthony Davis was the general managers’ choice as the one player they would build a franchise around. Now he is “Most Likely to have Strained, Torn, Pulled, Sprained or Broken near his name.” His health is paramount. Davis, yet to play more than 68 games in a season, already is dealing with an achy ankle.

26. Sacramento (33-49): They have Olympic gold medalist center DeMarcus Cousins, a pure talent but usually a pain in the pants. One scout gave a thumbs up because new coach Dave Joerger “seems to be able to deal with odd balls.” Now can he deal with the worst scoring defense in the league?

27. Phoenix (23-59): The Suns have a rising star in Devin Booker. There are potentially exciting lottery kids in Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss. There are some not so ancient vets in Tyson Chandler and Brandon Knight. Still, hope is a couple years away.

28. Philadelphia (10-72): Screw Billy Goats and Bambinos. Cheesesteaks mean a curse. No. 1 pick Ben Simmons broke his foot in camp. Nerlens Noel needs “minor” knee surgery (ever notice surgery is minor when someone else is having it?) Figure Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor or Noel gets traded when or if health arrives. Bright spot: don’t need to do much to improve on 10 wins. And they have some vets who were nursed through preseason.

29. Lakers (17-65): The Lakers were the worst scoring team and 27th in points allowed. So they shelled out a king’s ransom for — wait for it — Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng. Kobe Bryant is gone but the losing won’t be. New coach Luke Walton will guide D’Angelo Russell, rookie Brandon Ingram and some bad players knowing anything but a top-three pick goes to Philly.

30. Nets (21-61): Durant said it was big that the Warriors came to him. The Nets couldn’t even get Durant to listen, despite Jay-Z as his agent and his old shooting coach being their player development director. Boston controls the Nets’ first-rounders for TWO more years and the Nets don’t control their second-rounder until 2021. They may retire former GM Billy King’s number — in Boston.