According to the statistics last year, the Warriors were the best team to win a championship since Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls. They had a 67-15 record in the regular season, swept through the Western Conference playoffs before overcoming the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.
However, they're still not regarded as the favourites this time round. Their critics insist they were fortunate for many reasons last season, but the fact remains that they were simply the best team in the league.
With reigning MVP Stephen Curry and the core of their group returning to try and repeat, they remain a great option.
In a recent survey of NBA general managers, 53.6% picked the Cavs to win it all this year. It's hard to disagree with them given LeBron James was in sensational form in the playoffs last year and will be more determined than ever to make that last step to end Cleveland's wait for a championship.
The big thing for the Cavs though is health. Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and Iman Shumpert are all dealing with issues heading into the new campaign. If coach David Blatt has a full roster at his disposal, expect them to breeze through the Eastern Conference and make the Finals again and that is why they are considered the favourites.
The Spurs are my pick to win the 2015/16 championship through a combination of quality, experience and off-season moves.
LaMarcus Aldridge has joined the Big Three for what could potentially be their last ride, and he will be a potent addition to this team. Perhaps more impressively, David West took an $11 million pay-cut to join Gregg Popovich's team, which is testament to the culture in San Antonio as well as the belief that they can go all the way this season.
Tim Duncan will be a steady presence as ever, and the Spurs still boast one of the deepest benches in the NBA. Much will depend on how good Tony Parker is this year, but they have all the tools necessary to add another ring to their collection.
Despite losing Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to injury for long periods, OKC almost squeezed into the playoffs last season.
Their dynamic duo are back and have a point to prove this season, along with new coach Billy Donovan, and they are a dangerous outfit.
Similarly to the Cavs, health is key here. If Durant and Westbrook stay healthy and their role players are able to step up, the Thunder will be a threat for any team in a loaded Western Conference.
The Clippers should have made the Western Conference finals last season, but they somehow managed to throw away a 3-1 lead against the Houston Rockets.
Doc Rivers and his squad have had plenty to say about rivals Golden State in the off-season, but now it's time to back their words up. The wily coach added depth this summer in Paul Pierce, Josh Smith and Lance Stephenson, and that addresses a real weakness from last season.
They've been perennial disappointments for a long time, but with their championship window closing, this could be the year.
Other Contenders
James Harden and the Houston Rockets are certainly worth consideration, but in a stacked Western Conference it is difficult to pick out a potential outsider. That's why my focus switches to the East, with two teams standing out.
The Chicago Bulls have a great group, but their window is closing too. It is evident in pre-season that new coach Fred Hoiberg will give them more freedom offensively, and that should result in Derrick Rose leading a hungry bunch of players looking to let the Tom Thibodeau shackles go. At [17.0], they could be best placed to rival the Cavs in the East.
While the Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors will have a say, don't sleep on the Miami Heat @ [36.0] who with Goran Dragic, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Luol Deng and Hassan Whiteside can cause any team problems.
Recommended Bet
Back the San Antonio Spurs to win the NBA Championship 2015/16 @ [6.4]