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Golden State Warriors: 5 alternative facts

By Carlos Murillo

Feb 4, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry speaks with the media at the stakeout position outside the West Wing after a ceremony honoring the 2015 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors in the East Room at the White House. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry speaks with the media at the stakeout position outside the West Wing after a ceremony honoring the 2015 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors in the East Room at the White House. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Golden State Warriors
January 4, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The Warriors can’t play defense

In order to make room for Durant, the Golden State Warriors had to let a few pieces go. One of the casualties of the KD sweepstakes was Andrew Bogut. They had to let him walk in free agency and he left for the Dallas Mavericks.

Bogut was part of the Golden State turnaround. When the team traded away fan-favorite Monta Ellis, it was clear that there was going to be a big change in direction. Bogut was the new ownership’s announcement to the world that they mean business.

No longer would the Warriors be a mediocre team that scored a lot of points. They would be building around Steph Curry and using Bogut as their defensive anchor. And it worked.

Golden State was strong with the Aussie patrolling the paint. Their defense was elite and Festus Ezeli gave the Warriors a strong option off the bench. Even better, the Warriors’ small ball lineup, with Harrison Barnes at the four, was a nightmare for opposing teams.

Then they let a lot of key pieces and many speculated that the defense would fall apart. The Warriors are first in defensive rating, first in blocks, and first in steals. They’re beating teams on that end.

Draymond Green is a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate. He’s saved games that hung in the balance with incredible defensive plays. Durant is playing the best defense of his career and the team is buying what Ron Adams is selling.

The Warriors were supposed to fall apart on that end. Their amazing offensive firepower still has people believing that they don’t compete. Teams are still challenging Green one-on-one and players are attacking the rim as if Durant isn’t one of the best rim protectors in the game.

There’s a notion that they can’t play defense. Charles Barkley has brainwashed the masses and Steph Curry threes distract folks from the gritty work they do on the other end of court. And it’s fine, it plays right into Golden State’s hands.

Here’s a fact: the Warriors have the best defense in basketball. Here’s an alternate fact: they have no rim protection and can’t stop anyone from scoring.

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