Marcus Thompson, Tim Kawakami, and Anthony Slater discuss the Golden State Warriors' recent struggles, focusing on a controversial game and player ejection, analyzing the team's ineffective lineup, debating strategies for improvement, and praising the impressive performances of Dev Booker and Kamiga.
Draymond Green's behavior and performance is causing concerns and the team needs to address this issue.
The team is considering roster changes and may prioritize developing younger players for a long-term strategy.
Deep dives
Team struggles with performance and behavior of Draymond Green
The team is facing challenges with the performance and behavior of Draymond Green. He has been ejected multiple times and his overall control on the court seems to be lacking. The team now has to determine how to address this issue, as they have invested in his long-term contract. The coaching staff is considering changes in the starting lineup, potentially benching both Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney. There is also discussion about featuring Steph Curry more prominently on offense from the beginning of the game, in order to get him going and set the tone for the team. Additionally, there is speculation about potential trades or roster changes to strengthen the team, but it is acknowledged that acquiring impactful players may be challenging given the limitations of the Warriors' assets.
Concerns about the veteran core's performance and chemistry
The struggles of the veteran core, including players like Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney, and Draymond Green, have raised concerns about their ability to perform at a high level and maintain team chemistry. The team is grappling with the question of whether it is worth adding to the roster or making significant changes to chase a championship this season. Some are suggesting that focusing on developing younger players, like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, could be a more viable long-term strategy. However, it is acknowledged that finding a trade for impactful players won't be easy, and the team may not be able to attract high-level talent without established stars in place.
Rotation decisions and need for better chemistry
The team is facing rotation decisions as Coach Steve Kerr tries to find the right mix of players to achieve success. He has expressed a loss of patience and made bold mid-game rotation choices, including giving more playing time to players like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. There is a recognition that better chemistry and familiarity among the players is crucial, especially in critical closing moments. The team is working towards starting lineups that feature Steph Curry more prominently from the outset and avoiding starting with lineups that struggle to find offensive rhythm. However, there is also an understanding that some roster decisions, such as starting Kuminga, would require careful consideration due to defensive limitations.
Importance of featuring Steph Curry and improving defensive performance
The team acknowledges the need to prioritize featuring Steph Curry on offense and getting him going from the beginning of games. They believe that his performance sets the tone for the team and improves their overall offensive efficiency. Additionally, there are concerns about the team's defensive performance, as some players struggle defensively. The team is open to making changes to maximize defensive effectiveness, such as starting lineups that provide better spacing and athleticism. However, there is an understanding that roster limitations and the challenge of finding impactful players make it difficult to address defensive shortcomings effectively.