The Golden State Warriors are on fire. After their 130-104 victory over the Sacramento Kings, the Warriors are on a six-game winning streak. The Warriors have gone 13-2 in the Jimmy Butler era. And a 13-1 record when Butler has been in the lineup.
With such a high level of success following the trade, many have begun to wonder if the Warriors are reaching the level of being a championship contender. Since the All-Star break, the Warriors have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA.
Stephen Curry just reached 4,000 threes for his career, Jonathan Kuminga made a triumphant return after missing two months of action, and the team is flowing well. With all of these amazing things happening for the Warriors, some are beginning to think that they might be a scary team to face come playoff time.
Shaquille O’Neal Thinks The Warriors Could Be Scary
The improved play of the Warriors in the wake of Butler’s arrival to the team has made them look like a reinvigorated squad. Curry has turned things up a notch while Butler provides a calmness and high-level IQ that allows the team to execute.
Draymond Green has even been at his best recently, as he led the Warriors in scoring against the Kings with 23 points. Gary Payton II, who is typically not considered a scorer, has scored in double figures in four of his last six games.
Because of this level of play from the entire team, many of the voices in basketball have been singing the Warriors’ praises. Shaquille O’Neal took a moment on Inside The NBA to point out how dangerous the Warriors look as the playoffs approach.
"This is why they scare me in the Playoffs" 👀
Shaq speaks on the Warriors' ability to get hot at any moment. pic.twitter.com/mfjmsLFk1I
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 14, 2025
“This is why they scare me in the Playoffs, because we all know it’s the best out of 7. And we all know they can catch fire like this at any time, especially when they’re shooting well,” O’Neal said.
“This team right here, when they shoot the ball well, they can beat anybody, we always say live by the jump shot, die by the jump shot, but when they’re hitting shots like these, they’re a scary team,” he said.
O’Neal presents a good point, but there’s still a lot of basketball to be played this season. The Warriors have three of the most battle-tested veterans on their roster in Butler, Green, and Curry, while Kevon Looney could also be recognized for being a contributing factor in several long playoff runs.
How Far Can The Warriors Go In The Playoffs?
With a roster full of smart and grizzled veterans, young but very aware players, and of course their current core, the Warriors have one of the most versatile teams in the entire league.
Butler will provide a spark when he needs to, while Kuminga seems poised and ready to make his impact again. Moses Moody has been the unsung hero of the team, contributing tremendously since he joined the starting lineup.
While it remains to be seen how the Warriors fare in a series against teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and defending champions Boston Celtics, the Warriors are more experienced in the playoffs than the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
While there’s no guarantee that the Warriors could win a championship, they will certainly be a tough team in the playoffs and one of the most dangerous teams when the time arrives.