Lee, Barnes, and Landry are given multiple opportunities on mid-wing isos as well as in the low post, while Curry has a license to shoot at anytime from anywhere.
For the most part, the team is unselfish and looks to share the ball. Kick-out passes and ball-reversals look to generate a multitude of 3-point shots. Led by Curry’s long-range bombing, their 39.1 percent accuracy from beyond the arc trails only three of the NBA’s powerhouse teams—Miami, Oklahoma City, and San Antonio.
Even so, the Warriors are most effective when they can get out and go. Indeed, their explosive fast breaks are fueled by Lee’s boardwork.
Scoring is not a problem. Their points-per-game average is 101.75, seventh best in the league.
Their halfcourt defense is predicated on supplying quick help in the lane, as well as fast hands, and sudden poachings of passing lanes.
WEAKNESSES
Curry tends to overhandle and is rattled when he’s double-teamed. He’s much more of a shooter than a facilitator. On defense, his eagerness to rip opponents often compromises his balance.
Opponents routinely attack Lee’s under-par defense. Plus he gets lost when defending off-the-ball.
Thompson is a poor defender, and a one-dimensional shooter who tries too often to force his dribble into rush hour traffic.
Ezeli has no discernible offensive skills, shows limited lateral movement when opponents turn and face, and has difficulty playing defense without fouling.
Biedrins’ shooting range is as long as his arms.
Jack is too lead-footed to adequately defend the NBA’s abundance of warp-speed point guards.
Because they are so concerned with clogging the middle, the Warriors wing-coverage is extremely weak in defense of early offense situations.
With Biedrins and Ezeli, GS lacks a center a consistent commanding presence at either end of the floor. Accordingly, their team defense is mediocre—98.59 ppg allowed, 17th in the league.
If their iso game plan attracts double-teaming, too bad the Warriors are one of the worst passing outfits extant. As a result, too many turnovers led to too many breakout points for the bad guys.
Overall, Curry’s shot-making spreads the defense and is the key to the Warriors success. Credit all the players for competing from tip to buzzer, but their mostly predictable half-court sets, their abundant turnovers, their iffy foul-prone defense, and the unacceptable production from their centers limits their realistic expectations to advancing into the second round of the playoffs.
Still, for the first time in recent memory, the Warriors have a promising future.
Charley Rosen is an American author and former basketball coach. From 1983–1986, he was an assistant to Phil Jackson with the Albany Patroons of the Continental Basketball Association. He also served as head coach of the Patroons, as well as the CBA’s Rockford Lightning, Oklahoma City Cavalry and Savannah Spirits. A native of The Bronx, N.Y., the 71-year-old Rosen is the author of 16 books about basketball. He is known for his in-depth analysis and caustic views.