Golden State Warriors: Three reasonable expectations for 2016-17

Oct 6, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) walks onto the court prior to the game against the Sacramento Kings at the SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

With plenty of high expectations, here are three reasonable ones for the Golden State Warriors in 2016-17.

The 2016-17 season is set to begin in the NBA soon and preseason is well underway. With the addition of Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors, there are going to be plenty of high expectations for the team. Taking a team that wins 73 games and adding a big superstar on top of that will do that.

However, while everyone is thinking big and over the top, it’s important to be reasonable as well. The Warriors are going to do big things this year, but fans can’t be unreasonable and expect the team to win more than 73 games and sweep the playoffs. Here are three reasonable expectations for the Warriors this season.

3. 60-plus wins

One reasonable expectation for the Warriors is winning 60 or more games. Rather than expect the team to try and improve on last year’s mark, fans should be satisfied as long as they win more than 60. That would pretty much guarantee them the best record in the NBA.

Expecting this team to win more than last year is unreasonable. It took way too much of a toll on the team and Steve Kerr is going to rest guys this year. Draymond Green has already said as much about the team not chasing wins.

Expecting around 65 wins is reasonable for this squad. They should hit somewhere around that mark and continue to win a a lot of basketball games. It’s not about how they start, it’s about how they finish.

Feb 14, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Western Conference guard Stephen Curry (30) of the Golden State Warriors reacts after hitting a long three point shot at the end of the NBA All Star Game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

2. Four All-Stars

The NBA All-Star Game is a popularity contest. The most popular players in the league get in the game. There is always a player that is deserving of making it each year that just misses out on making the game.

Fortunately, the Warriors don’t have to worry about that problem. With four of the most popular players in basketball, it is reasonable to expect the Warriors to have four players represent the team in New Orleans.

Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Kevin Durant getting voted in is a lock. The only thing that will keep them all from playing would be an injury. That being said, Steve Kerr is going to do as much as he can to make sure that doesn’t happen with minutes.

How cool would it be to see four players from the same team starting against the Eastern Conference. It would essentially be the Warriors taking on the East in the All-Star Game. Talk about making a statement with your franchise.

Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first quarter in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

1. NBA Finals Appearance

For most fan bases, expecting their team to make the NBA Finals is unreasonable. If you’re a fan of the Golden State Warriors or Cleveland Cavaliers, then it is not unreasonable to have high expectations. These two teams have met in the NBA Finals the last two years and they should make it a third straight this year.

After winning an NBA Championship and then 73 games the next season, not making it would be a crime. Getting Kevin Durant makes the Warriors the favorites to win it all and it’s hard to see any team in the Western Conference being able to stop them on the way.

The inevitable battle between them and the San Antonio Spurs with Steve Kerr going up against Gregg Popovich has yet to happen. If that happens, then maybe the best coach in the NBA could find a way to dethrone the favorites.

Still, asking a great Spurs team to take down this Warriors team is a tall order. An NBA Finals appearance is a reasonable expectation and so is winning it all at this point. That’s just how good the Warriors are.