After losing the season opener against the San Antonio Spurs everyone started to criticize the Golden State Warriors. Some experts even said the team was never going to live up to the expectations set for them during the offseason.
It took them a few weeks, but the Warriors are finally who we thought they were. They might not have the best record in the league, but they’re trending in the right direction. And considering the talent Steve Kerr at his disposal, this could spell doom to the rest of the league.
The Warriors are riding a nine-game winning streak heading into Thanksgiving, but that’s not all. In this case the numbers DO tell the whole story. It’s just a matter of checking their performance over that nine-game span. During that period, the Warriors have averaged 123,8 points per game, while their opponents have only scored 104,6 PPG. They also have a 13-2 record on the season.
So far their highlight of the season was the win against Los Angeles Lakers on November 23. Golden State won 149-106, and set a franchise record with 47 assists as a team. Granted the Lakers aren’t the best team in the league, but it’s not easy to drop nearly 150 points in regulation. The highlight reel is simply amazing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1SU7AbhfOU&w=854&h=480
Aside from figuring things out as a team, the Warriors have also improved their individual performances.
First of all, we have Kevin Durant. There were doubts and concerns on whether the former OKC star would fit in the Warriors’ scheme, but no one seems to question that anymore. KD leads the team averaging 27.0 points per game, but he also contributes 8.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He’s not the undisputed star he was with the Thunder, but he’s fit in nicely next to Steph Curry
Klay Thompson struggled to begin the season, but that’s not the case anymore. The shooting guard is averaging 20.7 points and his percentages are slowly going up. He’s not going to be the team’s best scoring option, but there aren’t many franchises in NBA history that can call a player with Thompson’s talent as their THIRD best option. Talk about depth, uh?
Stephen Curry is not putting the MVP-caliber numbers he had during the past two seasons, but he’s still a Top 10 player. The star point guard averages 26.4 points and 6.2 assists, and he also made history a few weeks ago when he made 13 threes against the New Orleans Pelicans. That’s a new NBA record.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsHHDyon7js&w=854&h=480
Draymond Green has seen a dip in his production, but he’s contributing on both ends of the floor. There’s no doubt that the power forward remains a key cog in Golden State’s offense. And even though he only averages 10.8 points, his contributions allow players like Curry, Thompson and Durant shine like they do. Green has put up an impressive stat line of 9.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.7 blocks, leading the team in all the four aforementioned categories. Defensive Player Of The Year, anyone?
The Warriors have looked so good of late that even JaVale McGee is performing above the expectations. That’s not a typo, by the way. McGee became an internet sensation due to his bloopers and his appearances in Shaqtin’ A Fool, but he’s looked like a solid guy coming off the bench for Golden State.
The Clippers might lead the West, but the Warriors are coming. And it shouldn’t be long before they become the top team in the league and the main favorites to win their second title in three years.