Since getting Klay Thompson back, it has been anything but a dream for the Golden State Warriors. Numerous disappointments have plagued the last few weeks and the team has no one to blame but themselves.
The Golden State Warriors have suffered from a number of setbacks recently but their biggest issues are almost entirely self-inflicted.
We’ll get the obvious stuff out of the way first. Losing Draymond Green is a tough blow that left the Dubs vulnerable to the problems that have plagued them recently.
Furthermore, a tough stretch on the road along with back-to-back showdowns has put a strain on the roster, which is attempting to find its groove with Thompson in the lineup.
Lastly, a setback in James Wiseman’s recovery has made things all the more stressful for a team that is gearing up for a deep playoff run.
Warriors need to cut down on turnovers
However, the Warriors will fall short of their championship aspirations if they don’t tighten up on both ends of the floor. Specifically, they need to cut down on the turnovers.
Golden State ranks second in turnovers at nearly 16 a game. They turned it over 21 times in their overtime blunder against a depleted Indiana team and committed a combined 30 turnovers in losses delivered by Minnesota and Milwaukee.
Curry is averaging a team-high 3.5 turnovers since mid-December, in addition to shooting below 40 percent from the floor. An unusual amount of cold streaks from Curry has kept the Warriors from capturing the best record in the NBA.
Granted, had it not been for a last-second shot from Curry, Golden State would have fallen to the 14-33 Houston Rockets due to their 17 turnovers.
The Dubs are 4-6 over their last 10 games and turnovers are their kryptonite. Allowing opponents to run in transition and score off self-inflicted errors is a glaring weakness for a team with such lofty expectations.
Other issues, like remaining engaged on defense and integrating Thompson into the fray will come naturally as the season progresses. Yet, if Golden State is unable to stop holding themselves back with careless turnovers, their chances of winning a title will become minimal.