Golden State Warriors lacking teamwork during three game losing streak

The Golden State Warriors lose their third consecutive game in Texas as their teamwork breaks down

Since the beginning of the Golden State Warriors championship run that started  in 2014, we’ve all marveled at the team’s cohesiveness, both on and off the court. But it was almost like the teamwork was a by-product of their talent and collective personalities.

Now, we’re starting to see that the teamwork is in fact a vital component of their success, and without it they start to look very ordinary. Teamwork is a discipline, not a trait, and must be constantly nurtured.

Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green were all drafted by the Warriors and formed the core of the starting lineup. Along with coach Steve Kerr, the three of them provided such a strong zeitgeist  for the team – play to win, not for personal glory – that other players could come in, contribute, and add to the Warriors success.

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The team concept was preached at every opportunity, as the rising tide of success would lift all boats. Compare that to a LeBron James-led team, where he is the star that the other players revolve around.

When Kevin Durant joined the Golden State Warriors in 2016, the transition was smoother than many had expected. Critics predicted that there weren’t enough shots to go around for the team. Instead, Golden State rolled to two straight championships. Durant, who took less money two years in a row in order to help retain role players, was rewarded with two Finals MVP awards.

Everyone sacrificed something for the greater good. Curry came off consecutive regular-season MVPs but was no longer in consideration for the award. Thompson became the third option on offense and would have to satisfy himself with the occasional scoring outburst. Green basically shelved any scoring aspirations and focused on facilitating and defense.

That’s what makes the dust-up between Kevin Durant and Draymond Green so troubling. Teammates can disagree, especially in the heat of battle, without tearing at the fabric of the team. But this argument felt like it had more to do with conflicting views on what makes the team successful.

Durant was upset that Green didn’t pass the ball to him with four seconds left in a tied ballgame against the LA Clippers. Green then fumbled the ball away, causing the game to go into overtime. In the overtime period, the Warriors were flat and the Clippers won.

After regulation, Durant was pounding his chest, yelling that Green should haven given him the [expletive] ball. It’s great that Durant believes in his ability to win the game, but demanding the ball is not how the Warriors play.

Especially since the game was tied, not lost, it was an inopportune time for Durant to get upset.

Green didn’t take kindly to Durant’s feedback, and got himself suspended for a game. Green’s perspective perhaps could have been communicated in a more constructive way. But he has always been a straight shooter and will always hold teammates accountable.

Including the loss to the Clippers, the Warriors have lost four of five games. They managed to beat the lowly Atlanta Hawks, who are currently next to last in the East. Then the Warriors lost three games in a row on their Texas road trip, to Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio.

With both Curry and Green currently injured, the Warriors have been struggling to find open shots. Thompson is one of the all-time great spot-up shooters, but is much less effective when he has to create his own shot. Both Thompson and Durant are getting smothered by multiple defenders.

And Durant, perhaps sensing that the current lack of teamwork won’t yield a better result, has been stubbornly trying to play one-on-one basketball. The irony of Durant demanding the ball in crunch time is that he had opportunities in both Dallas and San Antonio, and shot poorly in the fourth quarter of both games.

Of course, the talent level on the court drops significantly with Curry and Green both unavailable. But the Warriors are missing something else. They aren’t doing what they do best – passing the ball crisply, running off-ball screens, and taking advantage of mismatches and double-teams. Both Durant and Thompson are pressing, and that’s resulted in poor shot selection.

The good news is that it’s early in the season and the Golden State Warriors are in second place in the West. When the team gets back to full strength, and returns to playing Warriors team basketball, the world order should be restored.