Warriors rejuvenated offense on full display in preseason opener

After two seasons of finishing 30th and 20th in offensive rating respectively, the Golden State Warriors preseason opener may have provided the start of a rejuvenated offense around superstar Stephen Curry.

In each of the five years prior, all of which yielded a trip to the NBA finals, the Warriors were top three in offensive rating, including being first in three of those seasons.

The Golden State Warriors gave off glimpses of an elite offensive side in their first preseason action, and it’s something that cannot go unnoticed.

Although much of that came down to the overwhelming offensive talent on the floor, it was also a style of play that coach Steve Kerr wanted to implement.

The Warriors were competitive last season and probably should have made the playoffs, but that was down to the other side of the ball where they ranked fifth in defensive rating, along with an offense that survived solely off the brilliance of one player.

Their 121-107 victory over the Blazers may have signified a return to something in the ballpark of their best offense.

Armed with some offseason additions that look like much better fits within the system (at least on the sample of one game), the Warriors shot an incredible 69 threes, connecting on 24 of them (just under 35 percent).

What’s even more amazing is some of the individual numbers, and the fact Curry took just eight.

Jordan Poole starred with 30 points on 7-13 from deep, whilst off the bench Otto Porter Jr. took seven, Avery Bradley and Mychal Mulder six, Juan Toscano-Anderson five, and Nemanja Bjelica, Andre Iguodala, Damion Lee and Jonathan Kuminga each took three.

Will that extreme volume continue?

Not to that level, however, Steve Kerr did say post-game that “we’re going to take a ton of threes this year.” To be fair to the team, a lot of the shots taken were good open looks based on some fantastic ball movement that should have fans excited.

With one of the best shooters of all time also returning at some point, the Warriors will hope that the days of Curry single-handedly carrying the offense are behind them.

There were plenty of positives to take away, albeit it was only one preseason game.

The Warriors’ offense seemed rejuvenated, the ball movement of their dynasty years was back in full flow. It seemed as if finally, after two seasons of frustration, a roster has been put in place to take advantage of how Steve Kerr wants Warriors basketball to be played.