Golden State Warriors core issues stem from lack of connectivity and discipline

Through 50 games, the Golden State Warriors’ 26-24 record suggests that they’ve lost a step – that they’re no longer the juggernauts that once dwarfed the rest of the NBA. It’s a fair assessment.

This is not the same team that dismantled the Boston Celtics in last year’s NBA Finals. An inconsistent and disorganized defense has hindered this group all year. Turnovers continue to plague the Warriors in the half-court, making it difficult to sustain any offensive rhythm. Their composure has wavered in crunch time, costing them more than a few wins this season.

This Golden State Warriors team is deeply flawed, but their deficiencies are all self-inflicted and can be rectified before the end of the season.

Taking care of the basketball, communicating on the defensive end of the floor, prioritizing high-percentage looks down the stretch –  these are all fundamental principles of basketball that have constantly troubled the defending champs.

The Warriors are currently attempting to straddle two timelines, pushing forward with their championship core while simultaneously developing their younger guys. It would behoove them to find a balance between the two, but their current positioning in the standings renders that virtually impossible. The Dubs just haven’t had the same room for error that they’ve had in the past.

Despite the losses of Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr, the Warriors’ bench was largely considered one of the league’s best at the start of the season. James Wiseman was set to return, and Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga seemed primed for larger roles off the bench. The Warriors even acquired JaMychal Green and Donte DiVincenzo in what looked to be a pretty shallow free-agency pool.

But things simply haven’t materialized as envisioned. The departures of Payton II and Porter Jr. left some unanticipated voids defensively that the Warriors have been unable to address. The starters have had to shoulder a heavier load, which has stunted the growth of their younger players – and here lies the issue.

This organization is trying to defend its championship while mapping out its plans for the future. The underlying problem is a lack of focus on both a macro and micro scale. The front office can’t decide whether to leverage their young talent or foster it. The coaching staff cannot sustain any rotational consistency. The players are botching defensive coverages and losing their heads late in games. There appears to be a lack of discipline at every level and the Warriors are running out of time to waste.

Though the Warriors do possess a number of tradable assets, a big move may not necessarily be the solution. This team has proven, in wins over teams like the Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies, that they have what it takes to hang with the league’s best. If it weren’t for a few late-game collapses, we’d be having a different conversation altogether. For this team, it all boils down to consistency.

Can Golden State put together an extended stretch of strong, consistent basketball? The Dubs looked to have found their rhythm earlier this month, winning five games in a row with Stephen Curry on the sidelines. But that run was short-lived, as they would lose their next two games, both at home, to the lowly Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic. A current three-game winning streak does provide some optimism, but the reigning champions have plenty of work to do in securing a playoff berth.

If they cannot find their form sooner than later, it could spell trouble for the Warriors as we know them. Draymond Green’s contract talks will eventually resume and the outcome of this season could weigh heavily into those discussions.

Wiseman and Moody have not progressed as the Warriors expected – full stop. Though their value has slightly diminished, they can still be used to upgrade the current roster. The question remains, will the front office gear up for a real championship run or will they remain idle and continue to tiptoe down two timelines? If it’s the latter, they’d better get their act together, because a premature playoff exit could have lasting effects that accelerate the fall of a dynasty.