An Absent Defense Highlights Warriors’ Recent Play
In the Warriors' fifth loss in six games, and now 10-15 since February 1st, it's time to call out the glaring issue of this team. Broken rotations, 70+ points allowed in halves, and fouling jump shooters in the final moments of games are just some of the defensive woes the Warriors have endured over the last two months of play. There's no logical reason to blame this awful stretch of play on missing players or on "a needed change in the offensive system," as most Warriors fans have been pushing for this year.
The team defense has been, flat out, inexcusable.
Before tearing this defense apart, we first need to counter fans screaming for the change in the offense; there is no need. This same offensive system has brought three championships back to the Bay Area. This same offensive system made Steph Curry the first unanimous MVP ever in NBA history. This same offensive system propelled Golden State into the hot start they had to this season.
Oh, that's right; it's also the same offensive system that made Jordan Poole the offensive threat he is today. Who has Poole's game mimicked? Stephen Curry. What system has made Stephen Curry the threat that he is? This offensive system.
Also, regarding this alleged flawed offensive system, the Warriors have had 4+ double-digit scorers in five of the last six games since Stephen Curry got hurt. Poole is continuing his hot streak of 20+ points games. Klay is averaging 25.2 PPG while shooting 43% from three over his last four games. So it’s safe to say we can relax on this idea that the offense is why this team is struggling so much.
Now to this atrocious defense. The Warriors were among the league's top five defensive teams overall with an average 103.4 defensive rating from November to January. In February, the Dubs dropped to tied 15th in the league in defense– posting a 113.2 rating. Golden State dropped even lower to tied 18th in the league at 115.8 in March. While the slew of defensive issues started coincidentally when Draymond got hurt in mid-January, Green has been back for about seven games. But the defense is still nowhere near the level it was at the beginning of the season. It's, in fact, worse now that he is back.
Considering Draymond "the heartbeat of the team" is an understatement. Everyone knows the value he brings, but unfortunately, we've seen the opposite type of impact that Green usually makes to this team since his return. It's only created an even bigger problem on the defensive end for the Warriors.
To further prove the elite level of defense Golden State was playing before this slump, the Warriors, for the entire season, currently rank third in the NBA for overall defensive rating at 106.6. The 106.6 defensive rating joins the likes of Phoenix and Memphis— arguably the two best teams in the league. In simpler words, to be playing as bad of defense as the Dubs have these past two months and for them to still be one of the top three defensive teams in the league shows how much of a downward spiral this team has gone into.
Ultimately, if you've been watching these games, you don't need any of the stats tossed in above to know how bad this team has looked defensively. With no more Wiseman this season, the Warriors' lack of a presence inside to protect the rim will be a persistent issue until they decide to sign a big. They're giving up too many easy opportunities on all spots of the floor. They are lacking on the weak side help (then again help side defense is non-existent in the NBA). They are getting blown by when closing out on shooters and are giving up the middle too often; It's fundamentally, bad basketball.
Veteran wing Andre Iguodala, in his first game back from injury, kept it real after the game about where this Warriors team stands. His biggest complaint, echoing Draymond Green’s about this team right now, is the effort on the defensive end.
You can pick this team's defense apart every game, even in the games that they have won as of late. With six games remaining in the season, and two of those being fun dates with the Suns and Jazz, this team has no room for error anymore. The expectations for the Dubs' were raised to a high bar after the incredible start to the season. This is a championship franchise, and as a championship franchise, they need to be held to the championship standard of play.
The famous saying is that "defense wins championships.". If Golden State wants to be seen across the league as a championship threat again, this squad needs to revive their defense's life now.
(Photo credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)