The Golden State Warriors are as close to invincible a team as one can imagine, but the Portland Trail Blazers don't seem to care.
The Blazers demolished the Warriors in their worst loss of the season in Portland. The Blazers are 9-1 in their last 10 outings and are currently at seventh place in the West. If the playoffs started now, the Warriors would take on the Houston Rockets who need to play Dwight Howard after failed attempts to trade him.
There is a big possibility that the Warriors could face Portland in the first round as the rankings in the bottom fluctuate, and even the Warriors are not assured of first place with the San Antonio Spurs always a threat.
Are the Golden State Warriors actually afraid of the Portland Trail Blazers?
Golden State Warriors team site Blue Man Hoop marveled at the way the Blazers beat their team-right at their own game.
"The Cleveland Cavaliers tried slowing the game all the way down," BMH noted. "The San Antonio Spurs tried to pick apart the Warriors' defense with their quick-hitting passes and motion. The Memphis Grizzlies have tried to bully them. None of it has worked. The Blazers kept it simple: fire away."
The Blazers have their own answer to the Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Damian Lillard, the Blazers firebrand who got another NBA All-Star game snub, scored 51 points and his backcourt mate CJ McCollum, who was involved in trade rumors prior to the deadline, scored 21 in their 137-105 drubbing of the Dubs.
ESPN noted that the Warriors are struggling partly because they are missing center Festus Ezeli, which is why the suggestion to acquire Anderson Varejao is not too far-fetched. He was waived by the Portland Trail Blazers themselves.
The Warriors followers are not daunted, as Blue Man Hoop gave their final word on the loss, which was considered as an "off night."
The Warriors are not afraid of any opponent. And rightfully so. They are the defending champs and the top team in the NBA," BMH declared. "They've only lost 5 games in their last 53 so it's hard to imagine anyone beating them 4 times over the course of a 7 game series."