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SAN ANTONIO — The sample size remains way too small for Turner NBA analyst and former NBA star Chris Webber to make anything of the Warriors’ early-season stumbles. But he already has seen enough to outline something for Warriors forward Kevin Durant.

“He could make his case for best two-way player of the year, even Defensive Player of the Year this year,” Webber said in a recent phone interview.

The numbers back it up. Durant has averaged 2.38 blocks per game, ranking second only behind Utah center Rudy Gobert. The Warriors (5-3) will play the San Antonio Spurs (4-3) in a nationally televised game on Thursday on TNT (5 pm PT) with play-by-play announcer Marv Albert, analyst Mike Fratello and sideline reporter Kristen Ledlow on the call. But Webber has watched plenty of the Warriors, thus season. Below are his thoughts on the team’s start, Durant and if the Warriors could be better than even in last season’s championship run.

What do you make of the Warriors’ start so far?

Webber: “I make it that it’s the second week of the season. I laugh at all the experts that panic this early. Coach Kerr said it was all about turnovers, and I think it’s that simple. Training camp doesn’t matter. Guys play basketball all year round. Anybody that says that matter hasn’t been in the body of a basketball player all year round. Guys have better trainers and better one on one coaches. It’s not that. It simply comes down to turnovers. That has been their Achilles heel even when they’ve won championships. Watching him the other night, Steve simplified it to turnovers. I would agree with him.” Related Articles Giannis Antetokounmpo wins second MVP award; Is an NBA title with Warriors next?

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With the Warriors about to play the Spurs, where do you see San Antonio in the mix of all the other Western Conference teams?

Webber: “I see the Spurs having just a s favorable chance as anyone to reach the Western Conference Finals. Last year, they were one of the most unathletic teams in the history of Pop’s tenure. We saw how that was affected. They were still up 20 [in Game 1 of the 2017 Western Conference Finals], and Kawhi [Leonard] gets injured on a [Zaza] Pachulia closeout. They’re right where they always are to me.”

With all the various moves NBA teams made this offseason, which Western Conference team do you think could give the Warriors the most trouble this season?

Webber: “I think every team this year needs to respect every team. If you don’t, you’re going to get upset. Golden State is a great team, has been together for a while and has a great coach and great system. One of the best players in the league, if not the best in Durant. The rich get richer when you get a guy like Durant, and all that he can do. I think we’ve seen how important Durant has been to that team. As great as we thought they were, they probably wouldn’t have gone back to the Finals without a Durant. I think they played the right way. The shot distribution between the big three on that team has always been pretty equal.

They’ve had the best defensive team in the last two years. When you look at that and the fact Durant is leading the league in blocked shots, I thought he could make his case for best two-way player of the year, even Defensive Player of the Year this year. I think he’s done that if he has some wins behind it. I’ve seen him as the same team. He really seen him as the same team, and he has to expect other teams. He has gotten better and they’ve been able to adjust to all the great things they’ve been doing. They have to pull a few more tricks out of their bag. Most importantly, not give teams extra possessions and turnovers, and keep an eye on teams in the game.”



What do you see in Durant that makes him a good candidate for Defensive Player of the Year?

Webber: “His size. It’s literally what God gave him, his height and his length. Therefore, because he can move laterally and he’s seven feet tall, he’s not 6’9”. He’s seven feet tall. He can check other guys on the rim and use his length. That’s part of it. He’s a great help defender. He has other good defenders on his team, including a great defender in Draymond. I think he’s learned a lot as well. So I’d have to give him all the credit with the effort in, he’s had to learn to play defensively the right way and he uses his God-given ability to block shots on smaller guards and come over and help on bigger players. It’s been fun watching him evolve into a very good two-way player.”

Considering the Warriors have the same core together from last season’s championship team, what’s your outlook on them being even better this season?