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The Golden State Warriors are in desperate need of a rim protector

By Tony Pesta

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots over Damian Jones #15 of the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on September 29, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots over Damian Jones #15 of the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on September 29, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors usually have one of the leagues best defense, but this year, they are in desperate need of a rim protector.

Defense wins championships. The Golden State Warriors have prided themselves on the defensive end since they began their title run and have always stressed the importance of being elite on both ends of the floor. Recently, their defense has taken a significant decline.

The Dubs are no longer a dominant defensive team. Opposing teams haven’t had much of a hard time going off against the Warriors and individual players are having career-nights versus the Dubs.

Golden State currently gives up the 18th most points in the league at 111.3 points per game. This is a big increase from their last season average of 106.0 opponent points per game.

What is causing their defensive woes? Well, let’s start by looking at the perimeter defense. The Warriors allow the fourth most 3-point attempts per game at 35.5 but hold opponents to the fourth worst percentage (33.8 percent). Overall, team’s shoot 1.5 percent lower from the 3-point line when facing the Warriors.

Okay, so the perimeter defense isn’t the problem. Now, let’s examine their interior defense. The Warriors rank 11th in opponents points in the paint with an average of 18.9 field goals a game.

Furthermore, the opposing teams are shooting 64.3 percent within five feet of the rim when playing the Warriors. This makes the Dubs the fourth worst interior defensive team in the entire league.

Right now, the Warriors have both Kevin Durant and Damian Jones averaging 1.0 blocks per game. These two are tied as the team leaders. This is a clear issue as the team will need a more prolific shot blocker before the playoffs begin.

In all three of the Warriors recent championship runs, the Dubs had at least one player averaging more than 1.5 blocks per game. Andrew Bogut was their anchor for a few seasons and JaVale McGee did his best last season.

If the Warriors want to win their third straight NBA Championship then they will need to find a player capable of protecting the rim.

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