Is It Too Late To Fix The Warriors' Chemistry Issues?

A Complete Mismatch Against Dallas

Once again, Steve Kerr opted for a new approach on Saturday. This involved implementing his 11th different starting lineup for the season. Chris Paul returned to the lineup in place of rookie Brandin Podziemski to ignite Steph Curry's performance early on. Trayce Jackson-Davis also earned his first NBA start at center, replacing Kevon Looney to bolster the team's size and athleticism defensively.

Unfortunately, the strategic change did not yield positive results. Luka Dončić, a strong contender for the MVP title, exposed the vulnerabilities in the Warriors' defence, amassing 39 points and capitalizing on numerous rotation miscommunications. Despite Chris Paul's 24-point contribution, it fell short of compensating for Curry's slow start and Klay Thompson's struggles, who managed only a 1-of-11 shooting performance from the field in the Warriors' 132-122 loss on Saturday night.

You can rewatch all the game highlights in the video below:



Where the Golden State Warriors Currently Stand

The Warriors boast an impressive depth that allows for experimentation with various lineups, but none of the combinations on the court exhibit a cohesive rhythm. Despite Coach Kerr deploying numerous lineups, only one unit—comprising Curry, Thompson, Green, Andrew Wiggins, and Kevon Looney—has accumulated over 100 minutes of play together, yet they have been outscored by a total of 23 points this season.

With a current record of 15-17, including an 8-17 performance against teams with records above .500, the Warriors find themselves mingling with the Western Conference's rebuilding teams and struggling squads at the bottom. It prompts the question of whether the current roster possesses the strength to compete with the NBA's elite.

Steve Kerr Speaks on the Pressing Issue

Steve Kerr spoke on the matter and had this to say on the issue:


During the offseason, Curry and Draymond Green dedicated a significant portion of their time to orchestrating players-only camps and dinners, spanning locations from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. The primary goal was to eliminate any lingering negative vibes stemming from Green's altercation with Jordan Poole and the tumultuous events of the previous season. Despite their extensive efforts and the active participation of rookies Podziemski and Jackson-Davis, off-court chemistry is not a cause for concern. The issue lies in on-court chemistry.

Steve Kerr followed it up with this statement:


What are the Warriors' Biggest Problems?

It's evident that Draymond might be the most impactful player on this roster, aside from Stephen Curry. Green's return, the date of which is still unknown, addresses the glaring issues only in theory. He has played 15 games, and in those games, the Warriors have a record of 7-8.

While the offence consistently engages in nightly matchups, participating in a league-leading 25 crunch-time games, there's no assurance that anyone other than Curry can provide the necessary secondary scoring. The recent three-game losing streak is closely tied to Curry's corresponding inefficiency, where he's averaging 18.7 points and shooting at 30.6% from 3. Although Curry is accustomed to facing traps and double teams, the Warriors' success hinges on both creating open looks for Curry and having other players step up to meet the scoring needs.

These contributions occur in sporadic bursts, lacking consistent output from any individual or group. For example, Thompson displayed impressive stats, shooting 44% from 3 and averaging 21.3 points per game over eight games between Dec. 12 and 25. However, he was benched late on Saturday due to a poor shooting night, which has been a recurring theme for him throughout the year, with his shooting reaching an all-time low this season.

Wiggins, despite a challenging start to the year, has found his groove since being removed from the starting lineup. However, his 3-point shooting remains subpar at 30%, and he is missing too many opportunities at the rim.

While the extent of Draymond Green's influence on the team's shooting efficiency remains uncertain, it is apparent that the team relies excessively on Curry's success, the entire team struggles to make their shots, and they are far from the formidable unit they were when they won the NBA championship in 2022.

The Warriors Roster Gives Their Perspective

Stephen Curry believes that the Warriors have an identity issue and it's clear from what he said that it's weighing heavily on him.


On paper, the Warriors boast a winning roster. However, when assembled in dynamic lineups, the collection of individual talents fails to materialize into a cohesive winning unit. There may be an element of unfamiliarity at play, as Dario Saric pointed out while describing the team's process of figuring out how to get Curry into the flow.


Paul reassured that the Warriors will "figure it out," with the "it" referring to the team's identity. He emphasizes that attention shouldn't solely be on their recent offensive performance but also on their defensive capabilities.


What the future holds for the Warriors

With the trade deadline just over a month away, the trade market isn't buzzing yet, but general manager Mike Dunleavy is closely monitoring the next 10-15 games to gauge how aggressive the team will be at the deadline. Should they become active? Will the front office explore options to enhance depth and find a secondary scorer alongside Curry for the current season and beyond? If not, the Warriors will continue their search for their identity. However, time is limited, as many of their star players are approaching the end of their careers.

Credits:
The Press Democrat
NBA