Warriors have a huge defensive problem
The Golden State Warriors have tremendous firepower, but beneath the superteam’s surface, there’s a defensive challenge to be solved.
The Golden State Warriors went off like there was no tomorrow when the season started. Their offense is probably the best in history. But, when the losing streak came with six defeats in eight games, something occurred in the stats.
Curry was gone which of course impacted the team highly, but a closer look showed that opponent’s offensive rebounding is a huge problem for the Warriors.
The team doesn’t do well when it comes to protect the paint, and in certain games, it’s vital for getting the victory.
This season the Warriors have struggled when Curry was out. The two time former MVP has nothing to do with the ability to protect the paint, but he – along with Draymond Green – set the pace going the other way.
With both Curry and Green out the Warriors have been slower on fastbreaks, but at the same time, they started giving away rebounds in defense.
In seven of their ten defeats, this season they have been defeated in offensive rebounds by their opponents.
Setting the pace in counter attack has always been a weapon for the Warriors, so when you remove that aspect during a game, you’re stealing easy points from the Golden State account.
You take away the ability to push the pace in a game, you remove the chance of big runs. Warriors have over the years had an ability to create lots of points in a short period of time – something that’s often devastating to the opponent. Now other teams are finding a way to shut down the Warriors machine.
Oklahoma made the reigning champions lost their breath and fail their attempt to even get back in the game with 18-7 on off.reb.. The same happened when Pistons steamrolled the Warriors (14-8), or when Giannis lead the Bucks to victory (13-8).
On rare occasions, the Warriors survive these blowouts on offensive rebounds, but then their shooting percentage has to be a lot better than their opponents. Not just a tiny bit – but a lot.
When Bucks dominated them on offensive rebounds (15-6) on Dec. 8th but still lost by 10. Warriors just had a better night from the arc with 41 % compared to a poor Bucks team who suffered with only 17 %.
The Golden State Warriors seem to have a weakness, when big guys dominate their paint. They tend to give up rebounds and therefore neglect to run the ball. That’s a huge problem for a team, that depends so much on energy and flow.
Next. 5 Players that Stephen Curry has influenced. dark
The return of DeMarcus Cousins could fix this, and it’s needed. The Warriors does not at this time have a player who can solve this issue.