Hardaway: ‘Healthy’ Warriors will win NBA title again

The NBA season is still far from tipping off but one former All-Star already sees an end result.

Tim Hardaway said defending champion Golden State could potentially lock up a third straight title, a fourth one in five years, but under one condition.

“If they stay healthy they’re going to win again,” said Hardaway during his media availability for the NBA 3X Philippines Saturday at Mall of Asia Music Hall. “There’s nobody that can guard Kevin Durant, and if they stay healthy they’re going to win again.”

Durant, infamously, joined the Warriors from Oklahoma City during the 2016 offseason and paid instant dividends putting up 25.1 points per game during the 67-15 regular season and upped it to 28.5 points per game in the playoffs en route to the championship and a Finals MVP.

Although the Warriors slowed down in the 2017-2018 season finishing with a 58-24 record, they still went to the playoffs and swept the Cleveland Cavaliers for their second straight championship.

And the Warriors just improved their roster in a massive way when they signed free agent DeMarcus Cousins for $5.3 million.

Hardaway, who played for Golden State from 1989 to 1996, he’s just happy that the Bay Area is experiencing a vibrant basketball atmosphere after going through a dirge in the early 2000s and 2010s.

“I’m just happy for the city, very happy for the city, very happy for the fans because they waited a long time for this and it’s great to see the fans enjoying themselves,” said Hardaway, who was the 14th overall pick by the Warriors in 1989.