Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The Good: Road woes no more?

Last season it took the Golden State Warriors all of 31 games to secure their first three wins on the road. This year’s Dubs have won each of their first three games away from Chase Center — a clear sign that things have changed for the better.

It’s no secret that team chemistry, or lack thereof, was a massive hindrance to the Warriors last year and certainly contributed to the team’s dreadful 11-31 road record. The younger players on the roster struggled to consistently buy into the bigger picture, and the group’s level of trust in one another steadily declined as the season developed.

It’s been the complete opposite story to begin the year. Vibes are through the roof, players understand their roles, and the Warriors are humming on both ends of the floor.

Golden State boasts a 104.8 defensive rating through four games, making up for their lack of size with hustle and activity off the ball. They’ve done an excellent job of communicating switches, helping early, and showing multiple bodies on the drive, exhibiting a cohesiveness that was absent throughout the majority of last season.

Offensively, many thought there would be a learning curve for Chris Paul as the veteran point-guard slowly assimilated himself with the Warriors’ free-flowing system — and boy were they wrong.

Paul has been a seamless fit thus far, as he’s been willing to run the floor in transition while mixing in a steady dose of traditional pick-and-roll offense. His quick decision-making in the half-court has added yet another wrinkle to the Warriors’ attack, and Golden State’s perimeter shooters know exactly where to be when CP3 is at the controls.