The Golden State Warriors championship rings were perhaps the most exciting team in the NBA Playoffs in 2013. After a first-round win over the Denver Nuggets, Stephen Curry had emerged as a rising star in the league. However, after the Warriors encountered the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals, Golden State was eliminated in six games after falling on their home court.

The big story of the season for the Warriors was how Steph Curry began to take over games and turn into a star in the NBA. His one drawback is his recurring ankle injuries, which has limited him throughout his career, and which hobbled him during the playoffs against the Spurs. However, Curry may just be one of the top-15 or top-20 players in the league right now, and be able to compete with Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook for the best young point guard.

Head Coach Mark Jackson was also a pleasant surprise for Golden State basketball fans. He has an imposing job, coaching a young team with a lot of athleticism, firepower, and injury concerns. With Steph Curry being able to play 78 games this season, Jackson had a consistent roster to work with and ended up in the discussion for Coach of the Year. Jackson may develop into a former-player current-coach like Doc Rivers in the future.

One big concern going forward for Golden State will be what to do with David Lee. While Lee helped the team overcome the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs, he was injured and not a major factor against the Spurs. It is possible the Warriors trade him to dump his salary, although he was the team's only All Star this season. The $45 million, three-year contract will be the most difficult selling point in any trade, however.

So can the Warriors compete next year in the Western Conference? Their best offense was showcased only during the playoffs this year, and Curry's ankle was injured again. This is a team that is very difficult to predict due to the nature of their star player's propensity to be injured. If healthy, the Warriors very well could compete with the best teams in the West.

This does not mean that Golden State is the favorite in the West. That distinction still belongs to a healthy Oklahoma City Thunder team, followed by Memphis and San Antonio. They could find themselves in the fourth spot in the West, and depending on their offseason moves, could compete with the best teams. They will probably remain underdogs against the top three or four teams in the Western Conference next year, but this season should be considered a success for the team and coach.