The Golden State Warriors have had a tremendous beginning to the season, elevating themselves into title contention on the back a league leading 27-7 start. But like every team, the Warriors have their concerns, particularly looking ahead to what they hope will be a long playoff run.
The Golden State Warriors do just about everything right, but some of their concerns need to be addressed sooner rather than later.
The Warriors have certain issues that are largely a bi-product of their playstyle, some of which they live with to a certain degree. Others, on the other hand, need to be addressed before playoff time.
Given Golden State’s high tempo style that priorities ball and player movement, their turnover rate is always going to be worse than league average. In saying that, recording the second most per game isn’t ideal.
In comparison, a more ideal, yet realistic standing would be the rating across their last two championship seasons. In 2016-17 they conceded the ninth most turnovers, whilst in 2017-18 they produced the fifth most.
The turnover prone nature relates to their unwillingness to enter into isolation plays, ranked 26th in the league with a frequency of just 4.6%. Yet, in what may come as a surprise to many, the Warriors are actually elite in their limited isolation situations.
They rank fourth in points per isolation possession at 0.95, trailing the Chicago Bulls who top the league as the only team above one (1.11). They’re also second behind the Bulls in isolation field goal percentage at 45.3%. These statistics are largely due to Stephen Curry who ranks second, just behind DeMar DeRozan, in field goal percentage for guards in isolation plays (minimum one attempt per game).
It begs the question; should the Warriors find a greater balance between their ball movement system, and running isolation plays for Curry? Such a move would likely see a reduction in turnovers, whilst increasing opportunities for their best player.
But although the Warriors may be content with high turnover numbers to a certain extent, they certainly wouldn’t be satisfied with their inability to get to the free throw line, and then the conversion rate whilst there. Golden State is 17th in free throws attempted, averaging 20.6 per game.
The lack of free throws is a reflection of the team’s low interior attempts, with the Warriors ranked just 19th in field goal attempts from within 10 feet. However, they are first in field goal percentage from that range at 63%, an aspect culminating from Curry’s extreme gravity that leaves teammates wide open at the rim.
Their free throw percentage is undoubtedly more concerning, ranked 26th in the league at just 74.8%. That’s nothing short of disappointing given Curry is the greatest free throw shooter of all time, and Jordan Poole is also elite at over 90%.
The free throw woes against Denver on Tuesday, in which they shot 16 for 31, proved to be the difference in the game. Although the inclusion of Klay Thompson should improve the free throw standing, it remains one of Golden State’s biggest weaknesses, and an aspect that could come back to bite them come playoff time.