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Golden State Warriors: Defense will be a continual issue for this team

By Nathan Beighle

NEW ORLEANS, LA -OCTOBER 28: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives to the basket against the Golden State Warriors on October 28, 2019 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA -OCTOBER 28: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives to the basket against the Golden State Warriors on October 28, 2019 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors won their first game against the New Orleans Pelicans, but their defense proved to be a continually reoccurring issue.

This team can score, but the Golden State Warriors, through their first three games, have shown that they’re one of the NBA’s worst defensive teams. Against a Zion and Jrue-less Pelicans, the Warriors gave up 123 points. 123 is unacceptable.

After giving up 120 points to the Thunder in a blowout loss and over 140 to the LA Clippers in the home opener, the Warriors know that they’re struggling to find a good rhythm. Two-time MVP Stephen Curry made it clear that this defense frankly just is not good.

They gave up 27 points to Brandon Ingram, a player that’s an early contender for Most Improved. However, it was mainly the Pelicans’ second unit that got going. The Pelicans bench scored 61 points.

The Warriors bench scored 43 and that would’ve been just 20 without the impressive performance from Damion Lee. Overall, the Warriors knew these issues, mainly defending dominant forwards, was going to be a problem when the season commenced.

Now, we’re acting like the fact that Glenn Robinson III and the team’s backcourt not being able to defend is shocking. The Warriors have the worst defense in the NBA and were saved by a heroic performance from a player on a two-way contract.

Thankfully, the Warriors did manage to get going offensively. At least five of their players his a season-high against the Pelicans. But, they were playing a team that’s arguably without their two best defenders, so the Dubs’ dominance was expected.

So far this season, the issues have mainly been in the backcourt, however, they’ve seen Kawhi Leonard and now Brandon Ingram tear them up defensively as well. That’s supposed to be the specialty of starting small forward Glenn Robinson III.

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These sets must improve, and if they don’t, it will be a long season for the Warriors. Their fans aren’t used to this type of incompetence, and although they were able to figure it out offensively for one game, these problems will continue to persist.

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