NBA: 10 Burning Questions at the 2018 All-Star Break

#4 Are the Warriors really bad or is it the grind?

Orlando Magic v Golden State Warriors

The Warriors' 14 losses are the most they've had at the All-Star break over their ongoing four-year Championship contending run. They've had a record of 4-4 over the last eight games heading into the break.

Are they really bad or is the grind of defending their title, which is essentially their fourth straight contending year, taking a mental toll on them?

It's probably the latter unless the team opens up with some lackluster play even after the break, which is highly unlikely, given the talent and structure they have in place.

Take a look back at every team in the past, since the 1980's, that was contending (having won at least one) for four straight years. There's a reason the last team to win four straight titles was way back in the 1960's. There's a reason that twice since the Los Angeles Lakers of the early 2000's, teams have come close to three-peating but didn't (2011 Lakers, 2014 Miami Heat).

It is very tough, especially once the team has realized that only the Playoffs matter. That's when the regular season is taken for granted but that's also when you establish good habits as a team. Sometimes, it's also a lack of motivation.

I'm not saying the Warriors are going to cruise to a championship like they did in the 2017 Playoffs. The Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Spurs will certainly have something to say about that. All I'm saying is maybe it's too early to judge that they are slipping or that we must overlook their recent performances considering the fact that they are going for their third title in four years.