Warriors Analysis: Preseason Rebounding Woes Could Lead to Bigger Issues
By Paul Matli
Defending an NBA championship requires a new level of motivation, something the Golden State Warriors have not experienced yet.
So far, throughout the preseason, the Warriors are struggling with consistency in the effort department. While it is just preseason, such deficiencies may translate to the regular season; something the Warriors do not want to happen.
The Warriors have been out-rebounded in their first two preseason games. First, they were out-rebounded 48-37 against the Toronto Raptors and then again Thursday night by the Portland Trail Blazers 48-38. NBA coaches and executives say that rebounding is all about effort. Players have to fight for position and often times take punishment in order to get the rebounds. The fact that the Warriors are being out-rebounded shows they are still a half a step slow in regards to hustle and effort.
Oct 8, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward
Allen Crabbe(23) shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Another sign of lack of effort is on the defensive end. The Warriors allowed the Trail Blazers to shoot 52 percent in the first half, including a combined 11-of-14 performance by Trail Blazer guards CJ McCollum and Allan Crabbe.
This is not something we are used to seeing with the Warriors. They were the best defensive team in the NBA last season, so the fact that they let anybody shoot 52 percent against them in a half and give up 118 points is concerning.
It’s not like the Warriors didn’t play their starters and other key players. Most of the Warriors key players averaged 20 minutes or more. Andrew Bogut and Draymond Green played 21 minutes apiece. Marreese Speights was in there for 11 minutes, James Michael McAdoo and Jason Thompson played 14 and 15 minutes respectively.
The only Warriors players to accumulate more than five rebounds were Thompson and Green, while the Trail Blazers had Mason Plumlee, Al Farouq Aminu, Meyers Leonard, Damian Lillard and Ed Davis with at least six rebounds. Even though most of those players are big and athletic, there’s no excuse for the Warriors to be out-rebounded the way they were.
October 5, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors interim head coach
Luke Walton(left) instructs forward
James Michael McAdoo(20) and guard
Shaun Livingston(34, right) during the first half in a preseason game against the Toronto Raptors at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
It’s difficult to judge early in the preseason, but anytime you see the Warriors struggling with consistent effort it begs the question: is this because Steve Kerr isn’t coaching them?
Having Kerr’s presence is important because he knows what it takes to defend an NBA title, which is difficult because the Warriors are now the hunted as opposed to the hunter. Kerr was part of a three-peat with the Chicago Bulls, so if anyone knows how to get the Warriors focused, it’s Kerr.
Walton has been a part of championship teams as well, however, it isn’t the same as Kerr, who has been there and done that numerous times.
The NBA preseason is difficult to judge as often times the best players hardly play. However, the Warriors being out-rebounded and the reported lack of effort is hard to ignore, especially for a team that prided themselves on it last year.