Two Things Each Warrior Starter Needs to Start Doing

Mar 9, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Monta Ellis (11) makes a shot under the reach of Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) in the second quarter at ORACLE arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The Warriors appear to be playoff bound, at least that’s what there record indicates. The regular season is coming to a close, and the playoff race is heating up.

The Warriors are only three games ahead of the ninth-seeded Utah Jazz, but the Jazz have a tough schedule ahead of them. In fact, they have the fifth hardest remaining schedule.

However there were some very obvious holes against the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. As a result, they were down by 36 at one point in the third quarter , and the Bulls were even without Derrick Rose. Simply, last night was pathetic for the Warriors.

1. Stephen Curry: 

The First thing Curry should consider doing is playing defense. He may not be the fastest guy, but if he wants to win, he needs to start sliding his feet. Most teams have good point guards who play exceptionally well against the Warriors; I wonder why? It’s Curry’s job to prevent them from having huge nights.

Another thing Curry needs to do is facilitate more. Last night, Curry shot 2-of-12 from the field, and only dished out four assists. He hasn’t had a double-double in a while, but when he does, the Warriors are basically a better team. Many criticized Curry for not being a true point guard, but he can play the point guard position.When he’s not having a good night, he needs to get the ball moving

2. Klay Thompson:

One thing Klay Thompson needs to start doing is cut down on the mental errors. Thompson’s inconsistency has been a problem for the Warriors this season. He usually scores in the double digits, but will have a terrible shooting percentage from the field. He has lately been better with his shot selection, but sometimes he takes too many threes, and it hurts the Warriors.

Another thing Thompson should do is drive to the basket. Being one of the best free-throw shooters in the league, he doesn’t shoot enough of them. He needs to take contact, as he is one of the few Warriors who isn’t injury prone. When he does this, he will get more easy points.

3. Harrison Barnes

The only thing Barnes needs to do to improve his game is drive the ball with confidence. He isn’t a shooter: the occasional 3-pointer is alright, but Barnes is a lot better than he thinks. Usually when he drives, he gets to the basket easily, but he hasn’t been doing that regularly.

4. David Lee:

David Lee should start doing is playing defense. No offense to Lee, as he is great offensively, but he just cannot play defense. Luckily, that can be learned. Friday night against the Chicago Bulls, Carlos Boozer absolutely crushed him in the matchup, and Lee’s defense seemed to go south, even though it was already there.

Another thing Lee needs to focus on is his consistency. Yes, he’s been fairly consistent this season, but he needs to score his average of 19 per game, and rebound 11 times per game, at least. The Warriors are looking for someone to be their rock, and Stephen Curry is mainly a shooter: those kind of people have bad games. That type of stuff happens. Power forwards, however, need to be there all the time. Lately, Lee hasn’t exactly been playing like the All-Star David Lee.

5. Andrew Bogut

Bogut was supposed to be the big center that the Warriors lacked. Since he has returned to the lineup, however, the Warriors have a losing record. I’m sure this isn’t what they had in mind when the Warriors were waiting for his return.

Bogut hasn’t been rebounding the ball like a true center, and doesn’t get blocks every game. Bogut needs to pick it up on the defensive end, actually making attempts to grab an important rebound, or block a shot on a crucial possession.

Bogut has to work on his game offensively as well. Yes, he’s only sliding back into things, but he has still yet to show the Warriors that he’s a truly effective center.

Bogut is getting good shots, but those shots aren’t finding the bottom of the net. He isn’t being utilized as much, but he needs to start scoring more on those hook shots we all know he can make.