After a rough start to the season, the Golden State Warriors need to understand how to define success in what will be a lengthy regular season.
Through 25 games, the Golden State Warriors are 16-9. While that’s good enough for fourth in the West, it’s not good enough to appease those following the team. That said, it’s time to redefine what a successful season looks like for Golden State.
In all honesty, we saw last season that the Warriors do not need the No. 1 seed in the West to win the NBA Finals. This season, it’s likely they won’t get that spot unless they can stay healthy for an extended period of time.
With superstar DeMarcus Cousins joining the team for the first time on the court later this season, the Dubs will have to adjust to Cousins strength and needed touches. That adjustment will be a huge part on how the Warriors define regular season success.
Two words will define Golden State as they eventually head into the postseason.
Health. Chemistry.
Stephen Curry has already missed a handful of games. His return, which took place two games ago, has helped the Dubs dynamic offseason, but in his absence, the damage has been done as the team has a streak of four straight losses.
It’s not just Curry though.
Draymond Green has also been out recently. His lingering toe return should be healed up, and his return should take place within the month. However, more specifically for Curry, injuries rise up quite often, and keeping those at bay towards the end of the season will be huge.
Cousins return from his ruptured Achilles will be huge, and his on-court presence will impact the team. Cousins is the main reason chemistry will be a prominent factor moving forward. Recently, after Draymond Green and Kevin Durant’s altercation, seeing them play for each other will define the season as well.
How they will enter the postseason will define success. The team has lost nine games, as many as they did all season a few years ago. This season is different though. The amount of stardom and lack of a second unit have caused struggles.
If this team can play for each other and stay healthy, even if they enter the postseason as the eighth seed, they’ll likely be the favorite to pull off the historic three-peat.