If Bogut can stay healthy, Golden State is a legitimate title contender in the West.
Do you think their defense holds up in a seven-game series against a good offensive team? Bogut is the only above average defender on that team. The rest of the lineup is filled with limited athletes who are susceptible to being beaten off the dribble. Barnes is the exception to that rule, but he's a rookie and is a long way away from being an impact defender.
I just don't see them getting enough stops to be a legit playoff threat. Bogut is good, but he can't do everything.
Yeah, with Bogut there and with Ezeli behind him, Golden State can be a top ten defensive team. Being able to have a quality shot-blocker to protect the rim on the court at all times is a major plus for Golden State.
The rest of their lineup has really good size. Not always great athletes but good size and length who can play good position defense. With a shot-blocker behind them, they can be really effective defensively as a unit. That will give them enough stops come playoff time. I think many people really underrate the value of size and length on the perimeter defensively.
Golden State are not going to be a great defensive team but they should be very good. A second tier type defensive squad. They should be a really good rebounding team too with Bogut and Lee together and big wings. Landry and Ezeli off the bench.
But the main weapon will be their offense. One of the best shooting teams in the league. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson are electric shot-makers. Then Harrison Barnes. David Lee. Jarrett Jack off the bench. Then Bogut in the post. Plus the passing ability of Lee, Bogut, Klay Thompson and Steph Curry. The unselfishness and togetherness they play with it. Amazing. They can put five scoring threats on the floor almost at all times (everyone can score except Ezeli).
Golden State's starting unit is one of the best in the league plus they have two sixth man of the year candidates coming off their bench in Jack and Landry and one of the best backup centers in the league in Ezeli. And, Richard Jefferson as a deep reserve on the wing when they need extra size defensively there.
There is some major talent in Golden State.
On a side note, I think Mark Jackson should be Coach of the Year. He has done an incredible job getting these guys to play together as well as they have done on both ends of the court. And with the confidence they have both individually and in each other. Incredible.