Watching the Warriors keep up their latest double-digit winning streak while teams like the Nets and 76ers attempt to string together two or three wins in succession is similar to watching a child on a bicycle doing wheelies and flips around his friends who still have training wheels. Often, the Warriors seem so good that it isn’t even fair.

In a microcosm of the Warriors’ current season, in a March 7 game against the Orlando Magic, Warriors point guard Stephen Curry caught a pass behind the three-point-line without a defender in sight. In response, Curry’s teammate, Andrew Bogut, began a celebratory run down to the other side of the court before Curry had even attempted the shot. When Curry finally did so, the result was as anticipated: swish!

Chicago Bulls fans, once able to bask in the glory of the unrivaled achievements of their ‘95-’96 team, are now watching this NBA season with bated breath. The Bulls of ‘95-’96, led by Michael Jordan, accomplished the ridiculous regular season feat of winning seventy-two games while only losing ten times en route to a dominant championship run. Now, believe it or not, the historically prolific team’s accomplishments are in serious jeopardy. Stephen Curry’s first-place Warriors are marching towards the playoffs at a feverish pace, with no sign of slowing down.

The responsibility for the Warriors’ rise to dominance falls largely on the shoulders of point guard Stephen Curry, whose ability to score from literally anywhere on the court makes him essentially unguardable. From athletic contact layups to high-arching shots from several feet behind the three-point-line, Stephen Curry’s repertoire of shots is wide-ranging and challenging to neutralize. Teaming Curry with one of basketball’s best shooters, Klay Thompson, and one of the best defenders in the NBA, Draymond Green, has caused many a sleepless night for opposing players and coaches.

Although the Warriors’ greatness is undeniable, the projected playoff field is by no means void of viable contenders. In fact, the San Antonio Spurs are mere games off of the Warriors’ historical pace, and have of late gained some momentum in the playoff push from their 87-79 defeat of Golden State on March 19. Other strong teams in the Western Conference include the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers, although these teams clearly appear to be on a lower echelon than that of the Warriors and Spurs.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, the top seed is LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers. For the past five years straight, LeBron James has made it to the NBA finals, a streak that the Cavaliers will be looking to extend. Notably, the Warriors spoiled last year’s finals appearance for James and the Cavaliers.

Another intriguing team within the Eastern Conference is the Toronto Raptors, a team led by young stars DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry that has caused quite a few playoff exits in the past couple of years.

Despite the emergence of several other contenders in this year’s playoffs, the general consensus at Ridge High School is that, aside from the Spurs and perhaps the Cavaliers, no team poses a major threat to Golden State’s reign as champions, which has, as of now, continued from last June.

Sishir Peyyeti ‘17 begrudgingly comments that “although I would love to see LeBron James bring a championship to Cleveland, I simply cannot see it happening against this Warriors team, because the Cavaliers have played and subsequently come up short against the Warriors many times as of late.”

Pulak Raj ’16 concurs, saying that “the Spurs are best equipped to beat the Warriors with all the veterans they have, but will ultimately, like the rest of the NBA, be unable to contain Stephen Curry and will thus likely lose.”

The NBA season is concluding with excitement, as the Warriors could potentially make NBA history; the playoff field is quickly taking shape. Fans wait with bated breath for records to be broken and heroes to be made.