Kobe Bryant Explains Warriors' Superiority, Praises Rockets, Celtics Too

The Golden State Warriors are top of the Western Conference and have already secured their place in the post-season with a 48-22 record, but they are not yet guaranteed the no.1 seeding as the Denver Nuggets are just one game behind. NBA legend Kobe Bryant explained what makes Steve Kerr’s team better than their rivals.

The reigning back-to-back champions have had an inconsistent regular season by their lofty standards, but are still favorites to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy for the third straight year at the end of the season.

It will be the Warriors fifth straight visit to the NBA Finals and they have triumphed three times already, with their only loss coming to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. There are very few -- maybe no one -- that will bet against them, especially when it comes to a seven-game series.

They have five All-Stars in their starting lineup and the likes of Kevin Durant, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, can singlehandedly change the outcome of a match. He showed it in Game 3 of last season’s final when he - without the help of team leader Stephen Curry - led them to victory over the Cavaliers.

Bryant believes coach Kerr’s team is unlike any other in the NBA as they do not play “accidental” basketball. The Los Angeles Lakers legend explained the Warriors play with “intent” as they know how to exploit every defense.

The Houston Rockets and the Boston Celtics were also on course to emulate the Warriors in terms of playing style, according to Bryant, but the Warriors are likely to dominate the NBA until they other two catch up.

"I think Golden State plays with such intent," Bryant told the Athletic’s Frank Isola when asked about the favorites for the NBA title.

"A lot of teams play accidental basketball where they just move the ball around, then they get a shot and take it. Golden State plays with purpose. They know how to exploit defenses. They have experience. Durant is a game-changer; his size and ability to get a bucket at the end of the shot clock.

"But you see, Houston is starting to do that too. They're starting to figure out how to manipulate the defense and how to control the pacing of the game more. And then in the East, Boston is one good run away from kind of figuring it out. And if the game is close, Kyrie (Irving) is a problem,” the all-time leading points scorer in the NBA explained.