Checking in with the Golden State Warriors
By Jacob Stevenson
We’re about 3 weeks into the NBA season. Even though it’s early, let’s take a look at what’s happening so far in the Golden State Warriors 2020-2021 season. I’ll be going over every team in the NBA in the next few weeks.
The Warriors have been up and down this year.
SF Chronicle
With Klay Thompson and Steph Curry injured last season, the Warriors really struggled and ended up picking second overall in the 2020 NBA Draft.
They are currently 6-6 on the season and are currently 23rd in offensive rating and 18th in defensive rating. Thompson is injured again and out for the season for the second year in a row, this time due to a torn Achilles. However, Steph Curry is back and healthy and he has been awesome. He is currently averaging 28.4 points per game, 6.2 assists per game and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting 37.6 percent from three.
When Curry is out there, he does so much drawing attention from the defense that he evidently helps free up the other players on his team. Draymond Green has been back the last few games and even though his offensive numbers are down, his defense has been tremendous. Green just brings so much to the floor due to his IQ, versatility and leadership.
James Wiseman, who was the number 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, has been inconsistent but has shown some flashes due to his length and athleticism.
Kelly Oubre has really struggled so far this year. The talented wing is averaging a meger 11.1 points and just 5.5 rebounds while shooting 35 percent from the field. Oubre is still adjusting to the Warriors style and will likely figure it out as the year goes on but it’s really important for him and the Warriors that he returns to the player he was last year in Phoenix.
Andrew Wiggins was acquired from the Timberwolves last year and is having a decent year. He is currently averaging 17.8 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game and 2.5 assists. There has been talk about the Warriors maybe changing up their starting lineup but Coach Steve Keer said he wants to leave it as is.
The Warriors play a lot of different guys coming off the bench.
Damian Lee has been really good at moments this season. The 3rd year guard from Louisville is scoring points 7.1 per game and is shooting 44% from three. He is also an extremely high effort player who has shown the ability to defend. However, the best player in the Warrior's second unit has been Eric Paschall. The small ball big is scoring 11.7 points per game in only 19 minutes. Kent Bazemore, along with Brad Wanamaker, have been new additions and have done a good job providing a veteran presence.
This probably has been what we could've expected for the Warriors this season. With Thompson hurt, you could assume it would take them a while to get comfortable without him on the court and they have certainly shown flashes of being a good team. Golden State is a well-coached team that has one of the top five players in the league in Curry and arguably the best defender in Green. If the rest of the team can fill their roles sooner rather than later, then the Golden State Warriors will have a chance to make the playoffs, likely as the 7 or 8 seed. However, we all know how successful this team has been in the playoffs over the last decade or so.
Jacob is a sports contributor for La Tonique.
