The Golden State Warriors are in an eerily similar situation to the Los Angeles Lakers. An aging superstar who is still putting up ridiculous numbers, a defensive monster, and a supporting cast that is as up and down as they come. It is easy to poke fun at how the Warriors and Stephen Curry look so defeated on the bench, considering how dominant they have been in the past. But, it also tells that this team still wants to win and hates where they are now. How can they improve to championship contenders once again before the end of the season?
Vintage Klay Thompson
It’s hard to watch Klay right now, especially if you have been a fan of him in the past. Seeing a player who used to be arguably the best two-way player in the league to what he is today hurts. The frustration on his face tells all as he sits on the bench while a rookie takes his starting spot. However, his bench production has been significant for the team.
Klay Thompson has been averaging 20.1 points in 11 games off the bench with a field goal percentage of 47.2%. In his first game off the bench, he scored 35 points, clearly trying to prove something. As a starter, he averaged 16.6 points on 41.1% field goal percentage, a drastic drop compared to his bench production. Coming off the bench gives Klay much more freedom to score and allows him to receive passes from the other star off the bench, Chris Paul. However, he must continue this level of play if the Golden State Warriors want any chance of winning it all this season. But, knowing how great Klay can be, it’s a good bet he will show up when needed.
The Reemergence of Andrew Wiggins and the Rise of Jonathan Kuminga
The drop-off of Andrew Wiggins is one of the few mysteries this season. Going from his All-Star starter season to his performances today is extremely concerning. It’s clear something has been distracting him. For comparison, he averaged 17.2 points alongside a 39% three-point percentage in his all-star season in 2021-22. This year, he has averaged 12.6 points, shooting 35% from three.
Recently, he took a leave of absence around the same time as he did last year. I wish nothing but the best for him and his family. But, if the Warriors want to win it all this season, they need him back to his prime form. He has returned to the court much faster than he did last year but is still not playing like he used to. Luckily, Jonathan Kuminga has proven to be a valuable replacement for Wiggins.
In early January, Kuminga finally spoke up on his limited minutes for the Golden State Warriors:
“That’s where it’s confusing. Sometimes, I come out the game not knowing what I did. And that messes with my head. It’s like, ‘What they want me to do?’ I can pass and I can do different shit… I am a difference-maker. I know I am. But it’s not up to me to do certain things. How can I say it? It’s not up to me to control my minutes. I feel like I’ve done that. But the last voice ain’t mine. And it’s not easy because I know how to score the basketball. I know how to pass. I know how to do different things on the floor. But it’s about putting all that together.”
Steve Kerr and Kuminga had a conversation after these comments, resulting in increased minutes for Kuminga. And with more playtime, Kuminga proved his worth to the team. After the New Year, Kuminga has averaged 19.5 points per game, second only to Curry on the Warriors. His athleticism and energy are greatly appreciated on a roster that is filled with aging veterans. Furthermore, with great passers like Chris Paul and Draymond Green available, Kuminga becomes even more valuable. If the Warriors want to win it all this season, Kuminga must continue performing this well, and Steve Kerr needs to trust him.
The Draymond Green Situation
Draymond Green is an emotional player. Too emotional. And it has gone over the line multiple times this season, resulting in multiple suspensions. Without Draymond, the Warriors are 11-14 this season but are 24-18 with him on the court. His value to Golden State is just as high as Curry’s with his basketball IQ, passing ability, and defense. If Draymond went to any other team in the NBA, his value would not be there. His knowledge of the Warrior’s offensive schemes and chemistry with the Splash Brothers allows Golden State to play to their full potential. But, when the playoffs come around and emotions get high, Draymond needs to keep his cool.
On Nov. 14, the NBA suspended Draymond Green for five games for putting Rudy Gobert in a headlock. I had never seen something like that in the modern NBA, as he held him around the neck for an excessive amount of time. After that suspension, Draymond came back, but not soon after, on Dec. 13, he dealt with suspension again. This time he threw a winded-up punch at Jusuf Nurkic, earning him a flagrant foul two.
After the game, reporters asked Jusuf Nurkic about the incident as well, and he did not hold back against Draymond:
“What’s going on with him? I don’t know. Personally, I feel like that brother needed help. I’m glad he not try to choke me.”
Again, Draymond faced suspension, this time indefinitely. Before coming back to the team, he must meet “certain league and team conditions.” Draymond met these conditions and returned to the court after 12 games missed. The NBA stated that Green “demonstrated his commitment to conforming his conduct to standards expected of NBA players.”
On a podcast, Draymond revealed how the suspension helped grow his relationship with the team:
“The relationship with them grew stronger. Steph called me or text me every day. Every day I was away. Steve Kerr checking in. Mike Dunleavy calling me four or five times a week. Like, what’s up? Just checking in. Not like, how you doing? You working out? None of that. Like, yo, what’s up. What’s going on with you? How you doing? How are you feeling? Great.”
Since Draymond has come back, the team has been playing a lot better for the most part. Even though the West is stacked, they look great on the court despite being stuck at the bottom of the play-in tournament. As long as they keep up this level of play and Draymond keeps his emotions in check when it matters most, there is no telling where this team can go in the playoffs. Especially with someone like Stephen Curry, the greatest shooter ever.
