The Warriors' biggest challenge this season underscores how impressive LeBron James' streak has been

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November 3, 2017 2:47 PM

The Warriors are fighting fatigue as they prepare for a fourth straight Finals run. LeBron James has done it seven years in a row.

The Golden State Warriors' biggest challenge this season is overcoming the mental exhaustion that comes with three Finals runs.
Steve Kerr said LeBron James' streak of seven straight Finals appearances is one of the most impressive accomplishments in NBA history.
No player in NBA history has accomplished James' longevity and consistency.

The Golden State Warriors have had a sluggish, ragged start to the season, a stark contrast from their normal swift, efficient execution.

For the Warriors, that struggle came in the form of a 6-3 record, second in the West, and the NBA's highest offensive rating, 118.9, nine points higher than any other team, and an 11.7 net rating, highest in the league.

Yet the biggest challenge the Warriors face this season, all season, will be mental fatigue. According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, all of the Warriors were aware of the mental exhaustion that stems from three straight Finals runs, and quite possibly, a fourth. How does a team stay focused through seven months of regular season play, knowing the real season starts in April when the playoffs begin?

Steve Kerr is aware of the effects that mental exhaustion can have on even the best teams. He told Shelburne that the Warriors' preparation for a fourth slog to the Finals makes LeBron James all that much more impressive.

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