With Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Jordan Poole, the Golden State Warriors were expected to be competing for another championship this season.
But instead of getting off to the dominant start they were hoping for, the Warriors have struggled for the first half of this season, going 20-20 through 40 games.
Many problems have plagued the Dubs so far, but the defense has been their biggest weakness this season. With rankings near the bottom in most defensive metrics, Golden State has been undeniably bad on that end all year long.
And now, with the season already in mid-season form, Draymond Green apparently felt the need to draw attention to it as he called his teammates out.
“I think we take responsibility in the way we’re defending,” he said, per Shayna Rubin of Bay Area News Group. “There are times we can get a little handsy. Not using our hands as much. We have to take some responsibility in it. At the same time, it’s a little alarming.”
‘Alarming’ is the right word to describe the state of the Warriors right now. Defensively, they can’t stop anyone, and they’ve struggled to keep their composure on the road, where they are just 3-16 this season.
Can The Warriors Turn Their Season Around?
Just a few months ago, the Golden State Warriors were raising the Larry O’Brien trophy as Champions of the basketball world. Nobody imagined their title defense would go like this.
But even amid all the struggles, Draymond still believes in what his group can do at their best, and he’s far from ready to throw in the towel.
“Our season’s a little weird as you know,” said Green. “Best record in the league at home, at 17-2, it’s incredible. Worst record in the league on the road, at 3-16, which is awful. … Most importantly, this team has started to find its identity. And for me, that’s more important than what the home record says right now or what the road record says right now. Over the last five games, I think this team has truly started to build an identity, and every great team has an identity.”
With so many uncertainties, the Warriors can trust in this truth: defense wins championships. If they want to do more than make the playoffs, they’ll need to find that defensive identity that made them so formidable throughout their run.
It will be no easy task, but it’s a good thing the Warriors have a future Hall of Famer in Draymond Green to help them find their defensive touch before it’s too late.
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