The Golden State Warriors, who kick off the 2018-19 regular season on Tuesday looking to three-peat, will face new challenges as they fine-tune the roster
As theGolden State Warriorsconcluded their preseason with a game against theLos Angeles Lakersat the SAP Center in San Jose (withKevin DurantandLeBron Jamessitting out), we’ve gotten a glimpse of the Warriors roster’s strengths and weaknesses that will define the upcoming season.
All the hand wringing over the pending free agency ofDurantand Klay Thompson can be set aside now. There’s a matter of winning another title that needs to be dealt with first.
The consensus amonggeneral managersandoddsmakersis that theGolden State Warriorsare the favorites to repeat as champs of the upcoming season.
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However, every season brings new challenges, and 2018-19 finds the Warriors in uncharted waters that they will need to navigate in order to get back to the championship podium.
First, watchingStephen Curry,Kevin Durant, andKlay Thompsonin the preseason should have bolstered the confidence of all Warriors fans. The Big Three are basking in their basketball prime.
They appear to be more at ease with the game and more in sync with each other than ever before. As such, they are pretty much unstoppable. Durant can shoot over anybody. Curry can make buckets from anywhere on the court. Thompson is a catch-and-shoot master.
Has there ever been a better shooting trio in NBA history?
Draymond Green, the fourth All-Star, has been nursing a sore knee during the preseason and has played limited minutes. But as the team leader in assists and rebounds, he will be actively facilitating ball movement on offense and clamping down on defense.
The Warriors will be looking to develop and integrate the younger players. The question for this group is whether they will take the next step and learn to make good decisions and communicate on the court.
As notedearlier, the center position is the biggest question mark asJaVale McGee,Zaza Pachulia, andDavid Westare no longer with the team. Newly acquiredDeMarcus Cousinshas been playing in two-on-two and three-on-three scrimmages, but is still slated for a mid-season return from Achilles tendon surgery.
A proven scorer and passer like Cousins will make the Warriors even more formidable. But in the meantime, it will beKevon Looney,Jordan Bell, andDamian Jonesat the center spot.
Looney improved as last season wore on, and contributed mostly on the defensive side. Bell showed the most athleticism last year but was inconsistent after coming back from injury.
Damian Joneshas gotten most of the preseason playing time, and frankly needed those minutes as he’s still a project. He has the athleticism, as demonstrated by a couple of highlight-reel dunks off of Curry passes in San Jose. But he hasn’t shown soft hands or consistent playmaking ability yet.
Among the other younger players,Quinn Cookreturns as a backup point guard. Cook shoots well when teammates set him up, but he remains a perimeter threat as he lacks the quickness to beat defenders off the dribble.
Jonas Jerebkomay be this year’sOmri Casspi. Acquired in the off-season, on paper he appears to have useful skills, but in practice, he doesn’t appear to be a good fit. The pace of the Warriors play appears to be too fast for him.
In the preseason, Jerebko often flailed wildly around the basket with little production. And he hasn’t been hitting his threes either, so it isn’t clear yet what his value is. Here’s hoping that he can adjust and contribute to the team.
And finally, where in the world isPatrick McCaw? As a role player who is apparently unhappy with being on a historic team, is he really going to start the season not being on any team?
The Warriors will be fine without McCaw. It’s just a shame that McCaw’s camp is overplaying their hand, and trying to pull a power move without any leverage.
The Golden State Warriors will be chasing history this season with proven superstars, veteran role players, and young talent. They’ll start the season at home against theOklahoma City Thunderon Tuesday, October 16th.
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