About a month ago, we had the 2019-20 NBA season preview where OsaB – our guest gave her views on Golden State. She said ‘Golden state in my opinion is going to be exposed this season. No Durant and it’s looking like no Klay Thompson for the whole season either. It’s back to 2012 Era Warriors, the entire team relying on a Steph Curry. Curry and Green have a lot to prove, and at the same time nothing to prove, because the attention has shifted seat from them this year. Perhaps this is the end of that dynasty’.
The Warriors look unrecognizable from the side that went to five consecutive NBA Finals this season. Their current struggle in defense is dreadful; a defensive rating of 116.3 and they are the league’s worst defense. For a franchise that built championship wins on strong defense – in 2014-15 they posted the top ranking defensive rating in the regular season (101.4) and the playoffs (100.5). In 2016-17 they were second in defensive rating in the regular season (104) and the postseason (105.5). Their third title in 2018 was a classic case of flipping the switch as they posted the top playoff defensive rating (103.6) after an unexciting effort in the regular season that was only good enough for 11th in the league (107.6).
Steve Kerr’s team have a mountain to climb; the expectation from them defensively wasn’t particularly high this season after trading for D’Angelo Russell, losing Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala, and Shaun Livingston, and attempting to rebuild their depth with younger players. On top of that their best perimeter defender, Klay Thompson, was expected to miss most, if not all, of the year but they have been abysmal. However, they still have Draymond Green, one of the most versatile and intelligent defensive players the NBA has ever seen. Green has always been the nerve center of the Warriors’ defensive system, communicating to make sure everyone is in the right place at the right time, rotating and helping at the exact moment needed to cut off paths of attack, and switching on to guards, forwards and centers alike.
Green cannot direct a defense where the pieces aren’t capable of functioning effectively. As great as he is, he is just one man. Green may be able to cover two or even three spots on defense in any given possession, but he can’t cover all five players at the same time.
The Warriors have lost huge personnel and need to replace them in defense. Green will have returning Thompson back – the core of Warriors original title winning team. Re-signing Iguodala would help, but how much is left in the 36-year-old that will make him contribute effectively throughout the entire season. Rookies Eric Paschall and Jacob Evans could play some part in the defensive rotation but GSW are unlikely to mount a championship challenge.
Golden State face Memphis Grizzles tomorrow morning 2am WAT at the FedExForum. Can the warriors get their first win since November 4th?