NBA: Preseason Ranking for the Western Conference

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Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kevin Durant (center) addresses the media with head coach Steve Kerr (left) and general manager Bob Myers (right) during a press conference after Durant signed with the Warriors at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Golden State Warriors

How does a 73-win team improve?

Well, adding a former MVP who is a seven-time All Star and four-time scoring champion is a good start.

In all seriousness, the Warriors won the offseason. The Thunder’s loss is the Warriors’ gain. Durant joined the Warriors on a two-year, $54 million deal that has an opt-out after the 2016-17 season. However, he insists his intentions are to remain in Golden State for the long haul.

Durant going to the Warriors presents the most interesting NBA scenario since Miami’s Big Three convened in 2010. The difference is, the Warriors were already a great team — a record-breaking team, in fact — before Durant came aboard.

Just like when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh came together in Miami, there will be questions about how the Warriors will function offensively with Durant. Along those lines, though, Warriors guard Klay Thompson clearly isn’t concerned.

When asked about the Warriors offense in July, Thompson gave his assessment. “There’s one ball,” Thompson said,” Guess what we’ll do — we’ll put it in the hoop.”

The Warriors are confident, and they should be. They will be must-see TV this season, and if all goes according to plan for the Warriors, they should make a third straight trip to the NBA finals.