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3 Reasons Golden State Warriors are a top tier NBA defense

By Tony Pesta

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 20: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors is held back by teammate Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 as he speaks with referee Mark Lindsay #29 following a call during the fourth quarter of their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on February 20, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 20: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors is held back by teammate Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 as he speaks with referee Mark Lindsay #29 following a call during the fourth quarter of their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on February 20, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Golden State Warriors Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s taken a team effort to remain one of the league’s toughest teams, but the Golden State Warriors have been resilient all year long. This team is determined to overcome their preseason power rankings and finish the season as a top-tier team in the Western Conference.

If you don’t remember, most rankings had the Warriors as a borderline playoff team – with NBA.com having them outside of the picture entirely. Most cite the loss of Klay Thompson, an elite shooter and defender, as the reason Golden State would struggle.

Fair enough, right? Well, through the first half of the year, the Warriors have managed to overcome the loss of Thompson defensively behind strong showings from Kelly Oubre, Draymond Green, James Wiseman, Stephen Curry and a quantum leap in development from Andrew Wiggins.

We are midway through the 2020-21 NBA season and the Golden State Warriors currently rank as a top-five NBA defense.

Each player on the team has stepped up to alleviate the lack of Thompson. Curry himself has taken the challenge of being more assertive defensively without his sidekick to cover his tracks. As a result, Curry is playing the best defense of his career and has received praise from Steve Kerr.

Altogether, the Warriors hold the fifth-best Defensive Rating in the NBA and hold opponents to the second-lowest field goal percentage. They still give up too many points, ranking 20th in this department and allowing the 10th most 3-pointers. However, this is mostly because of their incredibly fast-paced brand of basketball, placing second in the NBA for pace.

It seems the Dubs are a top-tier defense and it’s time to break down three reasons for their success.

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