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Golden State Warriors turning around major early-season issue

By Peter O'Keefe

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 18: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the second half of their NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on December 18, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 18: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the second half of their NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on December 18, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors’ bench was shockingly bad to start the season, but the recent form of that unit has to give optimism to the floundering reigning champions as we enter the second-half of the NBA season.

The bench played a crucial role in the Warriors’ 127-118 win over the Washington Wizards on Sunday. Head coach Steve Kerr was limited to just a nine-man rotation, but the bench quartet was a combined +51, headed by Anthony Lamb’s career-high +36 in plus-minus.

After uncompetitive stretches to start the season, the Golden State Warriors’ bench unit is giving far greater production to the reigning NBA champions.

The Warriors held the second-worst bench plus-minus in the league across each of October and November, with the issues becoming a highly-publicised aspect to the reigning champions’ underwhelming start to the season.

Golden State’s bench began to turn around in December when Kerr adjusted Draymond Green’s minutes to have him part of the second unit. The defense, playmaking and experience of the 32-year-old has proven pivotal in a unit that was otherwise chaotic and lacking control before his arrival.

Jordan Poole and Draymond Green will play a pivotal role in the Golden State Warriors’ second unit over the second-half of the season. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Jordan Poole and Draymond Green will play a pivotal role in the Golden State Warriors’ second unit over the second-half of the season. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The Warriors’ bench has been a steadily improving work in progress over recent games. They’re practically even in net rating (+0.1) over the last 15 games, which in itself is a good result given where they started from.

More recently, they’re equal-fourth in bench net rating over the last ten games at +2.6, and best in the league at +9.2 since they started this current road-trip. With a backcourt duo of Jordan Poole and Donte DiVincenzo to pair with Green, along with Lamb and the soon to return Jonathan Kuminga, and all of a sudden Golden State have a bench unit that could theoretically return to top ten in the league.

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The improved bench unit hasn’t led to an improved record just yet, and it doesn’t absolve the front office of looking for an upgrade via trade, but you’d have to be buoyant with the situation once the Warriors return to full health and get more games into the recently returned Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins.

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