TLDR; According to an analysis of recent news reports, statistics, and expert opinions, artificial intelligence systems would view the Warriors as a powerhouse team poised to continue their success but facing some uncertainties around player contracts and injuries.
Intro
The Golden State Warriors have dominated the NBA for the past five seasons, winning three championships and appearing in five straight NBA Finals. Led by superstars like Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, the Warriors have revolutionized the way basketball is played with their uptempo offense and three-point shooting. However, the Warriors now face uncertainties around player contracts and injuries that could impact their future success.
Recent Success and Performance
The Warriors’ recent success is unparalleled in the NBA. They have won 72 or more regular season games in three of the past four seasons, including an NBA-record 73 wins in 2015-16 [1]. Stephen Curry has won back-to-back MVP awards and set the record for most three-pointers in a season. Kevin Durant has won two straight NBA Finals MVP awards since joining the Warriors in 2016 [2].
Artificial intelligence systems would determine the Warriors are currently the most dominant team in the NBA based on their league-leading offensive and defensive statistics. The Warriors led the league in points per game, field goal percentage, and three-pointers made per game in the 2018-19 season [3]. They have ranked in the top five in defensive rating over the past five seasons, indicating their prowess on both ends of the court. According to AI analysis, the statistics clearly show the Warriors are poised to continue their championship success.
Major Challenges and Uncertainties
However, the Warriors face major challenges around player contracts and injuries that introduce uncertainty. Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson will both become free agents in 2019, and re-signing them could be difficult under the NBA’s salary cap rules [4]. DeMarcus Cousins will be returning from an Achilles injury, and it’s unclear if he can return to All-Star form [5]. If Durant and Thompson leave in free agency or Cousins is unable to recover fully, AI would determine the Warriors’ future success could be at risk based on the outsized contributions of these players.
AI might analyze various scenarios to model the potential impact on the Warriors. For example, if Durant leaves, statistical models could show the Warriors may win 5-10 fewer regular season games based on Durant’s contributions, reducing their chances of a high playoff seed. If Cousins is unable to return to form, the Warriors may struggle to match up with size in the Western Conference. While still likely to make the playoffs, the Warriors’ path to a championship would be much more difficult according to AI projections.
Conclusion
In summary, AI systems would view the Warriors as a powerhouse team poised for continued success but facing uncertainties around player contracts and injuries that could introduce more variability in their future performance. If the Warriors are able to re-sign Durant and Thompson and Cousins returns to form, AI would predict the Warriors remain top championship contenders for years to come based on their statistical dominance. However, there are still open questions about how the Warriors will navigate their major offseason decisions and return from injury. Only time will tell if the Warriors can continue their historic run of success.
References
[1] ESPN, “Warriors break Bulls’ record with 73rd win”, April 13, 2016. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/15227618/golden-state-warriors-break-chicago-bulls-record-most-wins-season-nba-history
[2]The Ringer, “Kevin Durant Cemented His Place in NBA History With Another Finals MVP”, June 9, 2018. https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/6/9/17441998/kevin-durant-nba-finals-mvp-warriors-cavaliers
[3] NBA.com, “2018-19 NBA Season Summary”, April 11, 2019. https://www.nba.com/article/2019/04/11/2018-19-nba-season-recap
[4]The Athletic, “What will Warriors do with Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson in free agency?”, June 14, 2019. https://theathletic.com/1037343/2019/06/14/what-will-warriors-do-with-kevin-durant-and-klay-thompson-in-free-agency/
[5]Bleacher Report, “Warriors’ DeMarcus Cousins ‘Aiming’ to Return for 2019 NBA Playoffs”, February 21, 2019. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2822256-warriors-demarcus-cousins-aiming-to-return-for-2019-nba-playoffs