A lot of the attention surrounding Golden State’s hot start to this season has revolved around discrediting it. While the Warriors have admittedly had it a little easier than some other teams, their strength of schedule shouldn’t be indication of a fluke, especially when the seven teams with easier schedules aren’t nearly as proficient as they are.

Former NBA shooting guard JJ Redick went on First Take with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and, in response to Smith’s take that the Warriors are the current title favorites, saying “They’ve had the eighth easiest schedule so far… They have no signature wins other than opening night against the Lakers.” Redick also called Smith “irresponsible” for insinuating that it wasn’t too early to call the Warriors title favorites.

I think a lot of people would be a little ahead of themselves to call the Warriors favorites. They are certainly contenders, but let’s keep in mind that the two teams which went to the NBA Finals last season are on the list of seven teams that have had it easier than the Warriors. A few people on Twitter pointed the list out, but we’ll place it here for convenience.

Minnesota: 3-6
San Antonio: 3-7
Magic: 3-8
Mavs: 7-3
Lakers: 6-5
Suns: 6-3
Bucks: 4-6

The Warriors are 9-1, far better than all of these teams. When you look at these records, you have the team which had the 2nd-highest title odds to open the season (the Lakers) and the two Finals competitors from last year (Bucks and Suns). What Redick is saying makes sense to a certain degree, but to attempt to discredit Golden State’s early season success by chalking it up to them having the 8th easiest schedule while still missing a key starter in all-star Klay Thompson is the most irresponsible part of this whole discourse.

Recently, ESPN had the Dubs ranked at #2 in their power rankings behind the Sixers. An evaluation of their schedule shows that it’s not too far away from what the Warriors have been facing. The Dubs are, right now, the best team in the NBA, and it’s not particularly close. The remaining season schedule should show them leveling things out a bit, but make no mistake: The Golden State Warriors, whether Klay Thompson is back at 100%, 80%, or even 50%, are title contenders.

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