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NBA 2016-17 forecast: Pacific Division

By Brian Boake

November 17, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the basketball against Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph (6) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Raptors 115-110. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 17, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the basketball against Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph (6) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Raptors 115-110. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

Last season: 73 – 9

This season: 70 – 12

The best team I ever saw live was the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, and I’m looking forward to seeing this season’s Warriors, as they might be better.

Unless lightning strikes someone, there are only four MVP candidates, and two of them are Warriors, the brilliant Kevin Durant and the inimitable Stephen Curry (Kawhi Leonard and LeBron are the others). KD and Steph alone strike fear into opponents’ hearts, but they are aided by Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, All-Stars in their own right.

November 17, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 17, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

It almost doesn’t matter who the fifth starter is. Coach Steve Kerr has the luxury of choosing from Andre Iguodala, Zaza Pachulia, or David West. He’s got interesting sophomore Kevon Looney and Anderson Verajao to bang under the hoop. The backup point guard is useful Shaun Livingston. Rough life, coach.

I’m marking them down in wins from last year only because replicating a 73-win season is impossible. Normally forecasting a 70-win season would be ludicrous – not with this team.

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