Golden State Warriors have been seeing meaningful growth
By Tony Pesta
This season has proven to not be a complete waste for the Golden State Warriors as multiple players have shown impressive growth.
It’s official, the Golden State Warriors are going to finish the 2019-20 NBA season as one of the worst teams in the league. This will mark the first time in nearly a decade that the Dubs missed the playoffs and just the first time in over five years they will not represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals.
On the surface, this may seem like a waste of a year. The Warriors enjoyed five years of a historic dynasty run. Now, they set their eyes on the 2020 NBA Draft Lottery.
However, the franchise isn’t back to square one. They will unlock a cheat code after the summer, regrouping the big three of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. This notorious trio should help propel them back into championship contention.
Their biggest concern is the supporting cast. Who among the Warriors crew of former rejects and unproven prospects will rise to the occasion? So far, a few names have stood out.
Eric Paschall has to be at the top of the list here. A late second-round pick, Paschall will likely finish as a top-five rookie and deserves a longterm role with the Dubs. He has great size and can power through opponents to the rim. Paschall is averaging a strong 14.0 points and 4.6 rebounds in his first season.
Next up is Marquese Chriss. After failed stints with multiple teams, Chriss has found a home in the Bay Area. He is playing at a career-high rate recently, thriving as a slasher and rim protector.
Over his last 117 games, Chriss is averaging 3.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. If the 22-year-old continues to develop at this rate he will be a key member of the Warriors moving forward.
Meanwhile, Damion Lee has pushed through shooting slumps to be a reliable scorer for the Dubs. He has scored 20+ points in each of his last two outings and has the potential to be a spark plug off the bench.
The Warriors should feel encouraged by this recent stretch of basketball. Their core is showing solid signs of growth.