Solving These Three Problems Will Propel Golden State’s Rise in the West
The Golden State Warriors are 29-29 and ninth in the Western Conference at the All-Star Break. Here are three issues keeping the Dubs down. Solving these problems will propel Golden State’s rise in the West.
The Warriors Have Difficulty Finishing Games Successfully
One of the key challenges facing the Golden State Warriors has been their inability to close out games. In a recent interview, Stephen Curry acknowledged that a lack of communication on the court has been a major contributing factor to the team’s struggles. Solving one of these problems will propel Golden State’s rise in the West.
The recurring issues of giving up late-game leads due to a failure to execute effectively plagued the Warriors. Curry specifically cited a number of factors, including poor communication, missed switches, and box-outs. Fouls, stagnant offense, and an over-reliance on individual heroics contributed to the team’s struggles, adding to issues.
These concerns, particularly pronounced on the road at a 7-22 record, are the third-worst in the conference. Improving their ability to close out games successfully will be a top priority for the Warriors moving forward.
The Unavailability of Stephen Curry and Gary Payton II
The Golden State Warriors’ prospects for success this season are inextricably tied to the health and availability of their two-time MVP, Stephen Curry. Since Curry sustained a left leg injury, the team struggled to a 2-3 record, highlighting just how important he is to their chances of winning.
Despite this setback, Curry remained optimistic in his remarks to the media ahead of Monday’s game against the Wizards. While he did not provide a specific timeline for his return, he expressed hope that he would be able to get back on the court after the All-Star break. He will undoubtedly miss several games in the meantime.
While this news may be frustrating for Warriors fans, there is some cause for optimism, as Curry’s injury is not season-ending. In fact, he may even be able to make progress in his rehab during the six-day All-Star break. Solving this second problem will propel Golden State’s rise in the West.
In the meantime, the team will be looking to other players to step up and fill the void. In particular, the recent acquisition of Gary Payton II from the Portland Trailblazers is seen as a critical addition. His defensive skills will be invaluable for a team that has struggled on that end of the court. While there is no specific timeline for his return, it is believed that he will be back in action much sooner than the initial estimate of three months.
Solving These Problems Will Propel Golden State’s Rise in the West with Andrew Wiggins delivering the goods.
Andrew Wiggins‘ performance hasn’t been the same since his return from a right abductor strain that kept him sidelined for over a month. Before the injury, he was on track for his second consecutive All-Star selection, averaging a career-best 45% from beyond the arc, a number that has decreased to 39.6%. For the Warriors to have a shot at the postseason, Wiggins must regain his form. In the team’s last game before the break, he displayed positive signs of a resurgence by putting up 29 points on 54% shooting. He hauled seven rebounds against the Washington Wizards. Solving these problems will propel Golden State’s Rise in the West and become the formidable team to defend its title.