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Golden State Warriors’ biggest road issue lay bare against Clippers

By Peter O'Keefe

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 14: Eric Gordon #10 of the Los Angeles Clippers goes up for a layup against Jonathan Kuminga #00 and Anthony Lamb #40 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Crypto.com Arena on February 14, 2023 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. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 14: Eric Gordon #10 of the Los Angeles Clippers goes up for a layup against Jonathan Kuminga #00 and Anthony Lamb #40 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Crypto.com Arena on February 14, 2023 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. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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If you shoot over 54% from the floor, over 44% from three-point range, commit just 11 turnovers (nearly six less than average), and post 124 points, you’d feel mighty confident of coming away with a win. Yet instead, the Golden State Warriors trudged to the All-Star break with a double-digit loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night.

It really was an encapsulation of the reigning champions’ woes this season, leading to their 7-22 road record which has them in perilous danger of remarkable missing the playoffs.

Turning around their defense should be the Golden State Warriors’ number one priority over the last 24 games after the All-Star break.

The Warriors have the third-worst road defense in the league, just in front of the two worst teams in the league — the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets. Former Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green addressed the issue in the aftermath of the Clippers loss.

"“Our defense isn’t very good, it’s kind of been the story all year and we’ve got to do something to fix it. It has to come from within — defense is all about will, our want to defend. Defense isn’t fun, you just gotta want to do it if you want to win”, Green said."

He’s right. This isn’t a personnel problem for Golden State. When you start two relative non-shooters in Green and Kevon Looney, you’re supposed to be building an identity on defense. For all the magic of their shooting prowess over the years, it’s the Warriors’ defense that’s lifted them to four NBA championships in eight seasons.

The complete inability to stop the opposition from scoring puts immense pressure on their offense. There is no room for error, go a few minutes without scoring and that’s the difference in the ball game. Just look at Golden State’s four games on the road this month, all ones that appeared winnable.

They scored 39 points in the second-half against the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 1, then a further four points in the overtime loss. The following night a 17-point loss in Denver was caused by a four-minute scoreless stretch when the Nuggets went on a 16-0 run. Last Wednesday in Portland the Warriors went five minutes without scoring over the last six minutes of the game, allowing the Trail Blazers to go on an 11-0 run to win by three. On Tuesday against the Clippers, Golden State scored four points in nearly six minutes as part of a 22-4 run that ultimately decided the contest.

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You can point to the above as examples of the Warriors’ offense faltering, and while that’s true, it literally kills them because the lack of defense fails to provide any cushioning whatsoever. If Golden State are to find any semblance of their best form, then they’ll have to re-conjure some of their defensive identity post the All-Star break.

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