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Golden State Warriors must snap out of horrific slump

By Tony Pesta

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts to play from the sidelines during a 124-116 Los Angeles Lakers win at Crypto.com Arena on March 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts to play from the sidelines during a 124-116 Los Angeles Lakers win at Crypto.com Arena on March 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The time for excuses is over. The last month of basketball has been pitiful for the Golden State Warriors and they can’t blame anyone other than themselves.

A 124-116 loss to the reeling Los Angeles Lakers marks a new low point in the season. The Lakers had lost four straight prior to this and had few things going for them other than a monstrous 56 point explosion from LeBron James.

Now, the Warriors are in a four-game slump and hold a 2-8 record over their last 10 games. They have forfeited the second seed to Memphis and are well on their way to dropping deeper into the standings if they do not snap out of this slump.

The regular season is quickly coming to a close and the Golden State Warriors haven’t been farther from hitting their stride.

What is going wrong for Golden State? Is it fair to say everything?

Stephen Curry has looked out of sorts for most of the season now. Jordan Poole has been good — but erratic, as always. Andrew Wiggins has regressed significantly since earning a starting spot on the All-Star team and… well, Draymond Green is on the sidelines.

This team has hit a wall. A mental roadblock that is holding them back from playing their best basketball. Aside from Green and James Wiseman, Klay Thompson is the only active player with an excuse to be a bit slow as he gradually returns to full strength. Everyone else? It’s time to wake up.

There is no explanation for why the Dubs have gone from the league’s best defense to 27th over their last 10 games. It’s a lack of effort, focus and execution that is plaguing this team without their defensive leader in Green.

They’ve been bad on offense, too. Golden State holds the 19th best Offensive Rating during this stretch and is shooting around league average from the field and 3-point range. This is fine, for most teams — but not a squad with two of the greatest shooters in league history.

Curry’s perplexing slump has followed him out of the All-Star break, though he is beginning to trend in the right direction, shooting above 38 percent from deep in his five games back.

Nevertheless, Golden State is falling behind and there isn’t much time to sort this out. We have no timetable for Green or Wiseman’s return so there is no sense waiting for any saving grace — it’s time to go out and play better basketball.

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