The Warriors had a disappointing record last season, finishing the regular season in sixth place in the West with a 44-38 record. However, the Warriors' unsatisfactory record at that time also had a lot to do with injuries and internal conflicts within the team. Therefore, this summer, the Warriors sent Poole away in a big way, and welcomed the 38-year-old Paul. However, the deal doesn't look like it's changing their prospects for the better. The team's lack of interior rotation has not been resolved, so much so that there is an Internet meme of "Curry riding Paul as a center".
However, when the regular season began, the Warriors played unexpectedly. After losing Game 1 to the Suns, the Warriors are on a five-game winning streak. However, the good times did not last long, Paul was injured, Thompson's form was up and down, Wiggins continued to be in the slump, and Curry failed to continue the form at the beginning of the game, so that the Warriors' record also showed a trend of high and low. The Warriors suffered a six-game losing streak starting with the loss to the Nuggets, and they suffered a three-game losing streak before their recent three-game winning streak. As a result, from 5-1 at the beginning, to now only ranking 11th in the West with three consecutive wins, it is not difficult to see the twists and turns that the Warriors have experienced during this period. With BW's sponsorship, the Warriors are gradually getting back on track!
Before meeting the Celtics, the Warriors had come back from a bad past form. Facing the second-to-last Trail Blazers in the West, although the Warriors only narrowly won, this is a game in which Curry's state is extremely sluggish. In the face of the Celtics, Curry also ushered in a strong **, scoring 33 points in the game, including 20 points in the final quarter and overtime, and the Celtics scored 5 points in overtime, while Curry scored 7 points alone. As a result, the Warriors - 11th in the West - against the Celtics - the first in the league, a game that seemed to have a huge disparity in strength, but it was the "dog" Warriors who had the last laugh.
Curry, who came out of a super sluggish hand, was the undisputed winner of this game. This season, Curry has scored a total of 20 points in overtime, ranking first in the league. At the same time, Curry's total points in key moments, shooting from the field, three-point shooting, and total points and three-point shots in the fourth quarter are all the first in the league this season, and his average points per game in key moments can also rank fourth in the league. It was the role of Curry that allowed the Warriors to drag the game into overtime and have the last laugh when they were down by 17 points at one point. Winning the league number one can undoubtedly give a huge morale boost and give the Warriors more hope of playing better in future games.
In addition to Curry, Thompson's recovery is also the key to the Warriors' winning streak. This season, Thompson's overall form has not been great. Averaged 17 per game6 points and 37 three-point shooting6%, true hit rate 568%。As one of the league's top scorers in the past, Thompson's efficiency is a bit unreasonable. However, in the last four games, Thompson's shooting percentage has improved significantly. Contributed an average of 26 per game5 points, a three-point shooting percentage of 500% and can hit 5 per game7 three-pointers.
At the beginning, Paul's arrival at the Warriors was quite controversial. This season, Paul's stats can be described as very mediocre, averaging 85 points 76 assists and shooting just 396%, 31 three-point shooting4%。However, anyone who has watched the game should know the importance of Paul's strategy to the Warriors' transition section. Paul still maintains a very good assist-to-turnover ratio this season, averaging only 13 turnovers. The Warriors have long been known for their fluid offense, but at the same time they've struggled to control turnovers. The Warriors averaged 15 turnovers per game last seasonSeven times ranked first in the league, and this season they rank fourth in the league in turnovers per game, which is still better than last season, which has a lot to do with Paul's arrival.
Through the On Off Court data, we may be able to get a more intuitive sense of Paul's role: so far this season, the Warriors' offensive efficiency is 114 when Paul is on the floor6. Defensive efficiency 1113. The assist rate is 681% and 13 turnovers1%, a net win over opponents by 3 per 100 rounds3 points;And in Paul's absence, the Warriors' offensive efficiency was 1123. Defensive efficiency 1158, the assist rate is 660% and 16 turnovers9%, losing to the opponent 34 points. It is not difficult to see that Paul's presence can greatly reduce the Warriors' turnover rate and make the team's offense more orderly.
Even if Wiggins' performance so far this season can only be described as weird, the growth of a group of newcomers has minimized the impact of his sluggish form. Kuminga has used his last four games to prove that he can start in place of Wiggins. Moody and rookie Podzemski have been tested by enough games, and Davis' outstanding performances on both ends of the floor in the last two games may also make him a consistent rotation after that, giving the Warriors an additional interior option.
In fact, when the Warriors are on a three-game winning streak and look on the right path, Green, who is in suspension, looks even more awkward. Green has been in decent form this season, averaging 9 per game7 points 55 rebounds and 58 assists, three-point shooting percentage is a career-high 429%, but only 2 three-point shots per game8 times. Therefore, Green's problem of dragging space on the court still exists, and with Paul's poor shooting this season, he and Paul are on the court at the same time and tend to make the Warriors' offense more sluggish.
For the Warriors, winning three in a row and hopefully extending the winning streak has also given them a renewed hope of making the playoffs. As a 22-year champion, he was able to reach the second round of the playoffs last season, and if he misses the playoffs this season, the blow to the Warriors can be imagined. Now, though, the Warriors look like they're coming out of the slump. There are many more challenges to come. And if Wiggins can get out of the slump as soon as possible, then the Warriors still have a good chance of making the playoffs again. The strength of the warriors should not be underestimated.