It’s safe to say that the Golden State Warriors were in dire need of a break, considering their 12-43 record.

Coming off of a four-game losing streak, including a double-digit home loss to the Miami Heat and a heart breaker in Phoenix, the Warriors will look to see who stays and who goes this upcoming summer. 

For the first time since 2013 the All-Star game did not feature a member of the Golden State Warriors. Eric Paschall however did participate in the Rising Stars Game and he absolutely showed out providing a team high 23-points on 10-of-13 shooting while securing a 151-131 comeback win for Team USA over Team World.

Now that All-Star weekend has come and gone, that process starts Thursday at the Chase Center against a crowd favorite, James Harden and the Houston Rockets. 

Last week, the Dub Nation faithful added another example to the small sample pool of the Andrew Wiggins experiment. So far, the experiment seems very promising, as he is averaging 23-points on 57 percent shooting from the field.

This week, he will be able to showcase his ability to score against smaller defenses and, more importantly, his ability to defend at a high level.

In order to compete for another championship, the Warriors—when healthy—will have to redevelop their defensive identity. 

Wiggins has the physical tools to fit a championship caliber defensive unit, the question is can he put the tools to work. 

This week will give the front office a glimpse at what they’re working with.

Outside of Wiggins, the other players on the roster are not only playing for a role on next year's team, they are playing for a role in the NBA.

Players like Zach Norvell, Juan Toscanini-Anderson, and Jeremy Pargo will have this week, and the remainder of the season, either prove they belong in Steve Kerr’s system or that they are valuable trade assets.

More importantly, each day that passes is another day we are closer to the return of Stephen Curry. Besides the most exciting player in the league lacing them up again, Curry’s return will give Warriors’ GM Bob Myers a chance to see how each player meshes with the Warriors’ superstar.

The Dubs have a short week ahead, with only two games—Houston in San Francisco then the Pelicans in New Orleans.

You can catch the Warriors tip-off against the Rockets with Ernie, Shaq, Charles, and Kenny Thursday at 7:30 PST on TNT