Losing just one point in two straight games and sitting in 12th place in the West with a 19-24 record, the Warriors are at their lowest point in nearly a decade. If the playoff playoffs start now, the Warriors will not even qualify for the 7th-10th play-off tournament in the West and will be eliminated outright. Two years ago the NBA champions, the Warriors fell into an "inexplicable" abyss and fear this season.
Curry is still the all-powerful Curry, averaging 27 points per game3 points, 42 rebounds, 5 assists, 45% shooting from the field and 40% from three-point range. However, the reality is that Curry has indeed fallen into a kind of low ebb, with more turnovers and frequent multiple surrounds and targeted defense in the fourth quarter, and Curry's key shooting percentage and scoring have declined.
Curry no longer works miracles every game, plus the Warriors' No. 1.
Second, the third scoring point Klay and Wiggins have also been in a slump this season, unable to play a consistent level and scoring output, resulting in the Warriors being reversed in 13 games with double-digit leads in the first half of the season, and two of them were reversed with a lead of at least 20 points.
The last two home losses, 133-134 to the Kings and 144-145 to the Lakers after two overtime losses, have left the Warriors extremely frustrated. After the loss to the Lakers, Curry was so angry that he even tore his jersey to express his anger.
However, Kerr, the coach of the Warriors, is positive, and he is not so pessimistic. "If we can continue to show the same competitiveness and positivity as we did against the Lakers, and if the players can keep responding and showing execution and determination to win on both ends of the floor, we still have a good chance for the next game," Kerr said. ”
The worst and most chaotic period is behind us, and whether or not the Warriors make a trade before the Feb. 8 player trade deadline, the Warriors' current roster and perception of their situation and position suggest that the Warriors are on the rise.
Here are four signs that the Warriors are changing, correcting, and regaining confidence.
1. Clay is recovering.
As one of the Splash Brothers, Klay averaged 20 points per game and shot 40% from three-point range in January, which was Klay's best and most consistent month this year in three-point, offense, and outside performance. Although the strength of the Warriors is not reflected in the record, Klay's form has clearly improved, which is something that the Warriors can rest assured. Klay may not have the consistency and cleanness of his career peak, but Klay's touch and key ball are already picking up in January.
Second, Kuminga became the Warriors' third scorer.
NBA third-year forward Kuminga was the Warriors' biggest surprise of the past month. In January, Kuminga averaged 20 points per gameWith 1 point, 40% three-point shooting and 58% shooting, Kuminga has become the Warriors' most consistent third scoring point, and even the most reliable offensive core besides Curry, which can effectively make up for Wiggins' sluggish and distracted state this season.
Three, Green and Saric, rookie Davis carried the interior defense.
The Warriors currently have plenty of interior staff, with three long-term players Looney, Saric and rookie Davis each with their own functions and all of them in the main rotation. Green is also getting better after focusing on playing, with an abundance of interior rotation and manpower, and as long as the Warriors focus on playing defensively, the Warriors' current interior and manpower are the most complete in the last decade.
With the resurgence of core players, the promotion of role players, and the abundance of manpower and body size, even if the Warriors don't make a trade to change the roster, the existing manpower and offense and defense** are more than enough to support. As long as he plays defensively and as a team, Kerr has seen himself again in the last two one-point defeats and has more confidence in his players.
Fourth, the players are conscious.
For the Warriors, the worst of games and form is behind us, young players are growing, the rotation is deeper, and as long as they play well defensively and build a team system, the Warriors can quickly get back on track to win. The experience of losing and losing by one point in two consecutive games may be the best nutrients and consciousness, Kerr is full of confidence in the players' efforts, hard work and competitiveness, and the old players and new players have also got a better tacit understanding and run-in, no one wants to lose, and now is not the time for Warriors players to compete for starting or playing time, the Warriors are getting back on track and returning to the rhythm of "Warriors basketball", which is a predictable development.
The Curry era for the Warriors isn't over yet, Curry needs the support of his teammates to alleviate the constant pressure of the encirclement, Kerr will pull the Warriors basketball back to the main axis of putting defense first and team-first, and the Warriors will not get off the right track to win.
Although Curry is angry and frustrated by losing two straight games by one point, he remains optimistic about the Warriors' prospects this season. Curry summed up the Warriors' goals and adjustments for the rest of the season: "We need to win more games and get back that feeling, and the season isn't so desperate. ”