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3 Issues the Golden State Warriors must address post All-Star break

By Abhay Bethur

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 04: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors is congratulated by Stephen Curry #30 after Green made a three-point shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter of the game at Chase Center on February 04, 2023 in San Francisco, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 04: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors is congratulated by Stephen Curry #30 after Green made a three-point shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter of the game at Chase Center on February 04, 2023 in San Francisco, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Draymond Green remains the engine to the Golden State Warriors’ defense. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Draymond Green remains the engine to the Golden State Warriors’ defense. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

The Golden State Warriors’ defense has to improve.

Every Warriors title team has been built on the foundation of their defense. Every year they’ve won a title, except 2017-18, they’ve held a top five defense in the league. That 2017-18 they were overwhelmingly talented with Kevin Durant, and even then their defense improved drastically by the playoffs. Last season they were ranked first for most of the season before eventually finishing second to the Boston Celtics. Both teams would face off in the NBA Finals, demonstrating how far a strong defense will take you.

The Warriors currently rank 20th on defense this season, a far cry from the elite defense we’ve become accustomed to. They’ve struggled to stop just about anyone, and have routinely been getting lit up by bad teams. That’s something that’s been especially worse on the road where they rank an awful 28th in defensive rating. Everything stems from the Warriors defense, they can get stops, and get out in transition where the quick-paced Golden State offense thrives. But if other teams continuously light them up and it turns into a shootout, the Warriors without Stephen Curry simply don’t have the firepower to continuously keep up.

The Dubs’ defense has shown signs of life lately. In the month of January they ranked 13th in defensive rating, but they still slipped up before the All-Star break as the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers, and Portland Trail Blazers each piled up over 120 points. If the Warriors have any hope of improving by the time the playoffs role around, the defensive end will be where it’s going to have to start.

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