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Golden State Warriors are trending in the right direction

By Tony Pesta

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 03: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is showered in water by Damion Lee #1 of the Golden State Warriors during a post-game interview after Curry scored a career-high 62 points against the Portland Trail Blazers at Chase Center on January 03, 2021 in San Francisco, 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 Ezra Shaw/undefined)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 03: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is showered in water by Damion Lee #1 of the Golden State Warriors during a post-game interview after Curry scored a career-high 62 points against the Portland Trail Blazers at Chase Center on January 03, 2021 in San Francisco, 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 Ezra Shaw/undefined) /
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It hasn’t been an easy season by any means for the Golden State Warriors, but taking care of business against weaker opponents has helped them steer in the right direction, despite big losses to some of the league’s best squads.

There is a clear disparity between the Dubs and the titans of the NBA. They’ve been routinely beaten down by top-tier teams. Yet, they remain in the playoff picture and have managed to stun a few opponents due to the lightning punch of Stephen Curry.

The Golden State Warriors might not have everything together just yet, but they are definitely trending in the right direction.

The Warriors have taken a few lumps this season but nobody is panicking because of consistent growth from some of the team’s most important members. The emergence of Andrew Wiggins as an elite 3-and-D presence has made all the difference for Golden State.

Since mid-January, Wiggins is averaging 18.2 points on above 50 percent shooting from the field and a scorching hot 42.9 percent from the 3-point line. During this stretch, only Wiggins and Kevin Durant have drilled 20+ 3-pointers and blocked 14+ shots on this level of efficiency. Quite fitting that Wiggins has evolved to become a fitting replacement for Durant in the Dubs’ system.

The growth of this team doesn’t stop there. Strong showings from Eric Paschall, James Wiseman and Kelly Oubre have helped ease the load of Stephen Curry. His usage rate is dipping and the team’s record has yet to take a major hit because of it.

In their last 11 games, the Warriors are 5-6. Each of their losses came to current playoff teams, with only the New York Knicks really standing out as a disappointing defeat. The fact that the Warriors are taking care of business in matches with inferior opponents is a good sign.

Next on the list will be truly competing with the powerhouses. Will that happen this season? We aren’t sure. It will take increased growth from the rest of the core as well as a commitment to building their team chemistry even further. In all likelihood, we won’t see the Warriors crack into the NBA’s upper-echelon until Klay Thompson returns – but they are at least on a good pace to do so.

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