Bobby Marks isn’t buying the idea that the Golden State Warriors would suddenly look like a safer bet if you dropped them into the Eastern Conference.
On ESPN LA, the ESPN analyst painted a blunt picture of where Steve Kerr’s team stands right now. In his view, Golden State wouldn’t just lose ground in the East - it might not even be able to get into the Play-In picture.
Marks said: “If they were in the East, I don’t know if they would be a Play-In team. I mean, I honestly could say that.
“I think they could catch a little bit of a break in the West because I don’t think it’s as deep as it was in prior years, but I still think they’re probably they’re in that 8-10 range.”
That assessment lines up with the bigger issue hanging over the Warriors: they’ve been living in Play-In territory for three straight seasons. They missed the top six every time over that stretch, and last season they finished 10th.
The larger conference landscape is part of the conversation too. The West has long carried the reputation as the tougher side, but Marks’ comments point to a shift in how the two conferences are being viewed. He pointed to the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder as strong teams at the top of the West, while describing the East as less predictable, with LeBron James’ move to the Philadelphia 76ers adding another twist.
Even with that context, Marks doesn’t see Golden State as a team on the rise. His expectation is that the Warriors are stuck in the same type of middle ground as Portland, Phoenix and Utah.
He said: “They’re a team that’s going to be like Portland and maybe Phoenix in that mix as far as competing and Utah will probably be there.”
There’s also the latest setback to deal with: Kristaps Porzingis has been ruled out with illness for the foreseeable future.
Stephen Curry still gives Golden State a puncher’s chance, because a team with Curry always does. But the source of the problem is obvious enough - too much is being asked of him if the Warriors are supposed to power another title push on his own.
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