Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.
For a long time, that quote defined the San Antonio Spurs. While it wasn’t actually about them (shoutout to “The Godfather” and “The Sopranos” for making that saying what it is), it deeply resonates with how people felt about Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and the Spurs during their 20-year dynasty.
Whenever it felt like they were too old to do it, they proved you wrong.
The Golden State Warriors adopted that mentality during their own dynasty. Although many jokes have been made about the ‘two-timeline’ approach (and rightfully so, there have been blunders), it’s been a decade since the Stephen Curry-led Warriors’ reign started. After falling short in the playoffs for the last two seasons, their 2022 title run has felt more and more like the cherry on top and end credits for an unbelievable dynasty that resulted in four championships and seven Finals runs in eight seasons.
But, just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.
This season, the Warriors look rejuvenated. Their new-found depth has made them one of the most versatile teams in the league. Head coach Steve Kerr is pushing all the right buttons, which has helped catapult them into one of the best defenses to start the year. The team resoundingly survived a three-game stretch without the help of Steph Curry, who twisted his ankle and sat out a week. The additions of Buddy Hield, De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson have helped deal with the loss of Klay Thompson. Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney look healthy and focused. Brandin Podziemski, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jonathan Kuminga are all (mostly) making strides. Things are going well in Warriors Land right now, and they’re off to a 9-2 start — tied for first in the Western Conference.
So, what have we learned about this new version of the same old formula from the Warriors? After an impressive week where they went 3-1 against the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks, can we finally label them as contenders?
Ball Pressure And Transition Game
Golden State’s defense has been a revelation through the first 15 percent of the season. The formula is pretty simple: elite ball pressure followed by crisp rotations, all orchestrated and supported by the ever-present Draymond Green on the backline.
Luka gets blitzed.
— Joe Viray (@JoeVirayNBA) November 13, 2024
And then — Draymond Freakin’ Green pic.twitter.com/oQBOx9Vz5W
The Warriors swarm the ball. Heading into Tuesday’s games, they’re fourth in steals per game, eighth in blocks, and sixth in opposing turnovers. They’re third in opponents’ shots taken when a defender is within 0-2 feet, showing off their excellent rotations and how they cover their spots defensively.
That elite and chaos-driven defense has allowed the Dubs to thrive on the fast break. Last season, the Warriors were 26th in transition frequency (13.5 percent) and 29th when those transition opportunities came from steals.
This season, Golden State is getting out in transition 16 percent of the time. Hield’s addition and the pace he brings are vital parts of that. He has been elite in transition, scoring over three fast-break points a night — mostly off of 3-pointers, which he’s hit 49 percent of to start the year. With him on the floor, the Warriors are plus-4.2 points per 100 possessions better in transition, as his frenetic pace and shooting gravity help them get more chances. It helps that Hield is competing on the defensive end as well and Golden State is smartly catering to his skill-set there.
Buddy Hield has always been a great offensive player. The more interesting question to me is how the Warriors figured out a way to keep him on the floor defensively.
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) November 12, 2024
Here’s what I found. 🔊on: pic.twitter.com/J78eHHSVtp
This is heightened by the Warriors also being elite defending in transition. They rank second in opposing points per possession, according to Cleaning the Glass. With Kerr playing an 11-man rotation, their platoon-like substitution patterns allow them to keep fresh legs on the floor and stay tight as a defensive unit. Admittedly, some good teams can try to abuse this.
Last week, the Cavs successfully demolished the Warriors. Former Dubs assistant (and current Cleveland head coach) Kenny Atkinson knew exactly how the Warriors’ formidable defense would be susceptible to breakdowns. On that night, the Warriors gave up 60 points in the paint. Contrastingly, in its win against the defending champion Celtics, Golden State limited them to just 36 points in the paint. They outscored Boston by 18 inside and limited its deadly drive-and-kick game.
Perhaps the best litmus test for the Warriors’ chaos-inducing defense was how Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson would react to it. While they did find ways to push their buttons — especially against Golden State’s bench-heavy units — when Wiggins and Green were on the floor, their length and positioning bothered Dallas.
This is just a great ball denial by Wiggins on Luka, good ball pressure from Draymond not letting the pass get through, the whole Warriors’ defense does a great job and then capped it off with a dime form Steph to Wiggins for the dunk. pic.twitter.com/XkGCeLEv73
— Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) November 13, 2024
Finding The Right Role For Kuminga
After starting and struggling in the Warriors’ first three games, Kuminga has come off the bench for the last eight games, where he’s found his footing.
As a starter, Kuminga shot 33 percent, averaged eight points and took eight field goal attempts per game. Off the bench, Kuminga leads the NBA in second-unit scoring. He’s averaging over 17 points on more than 12 field goals a night and is knocking down 52 percent of his looks.
With his methodical decision-making, Kuminga is different from the other players on the Warriors’ roster. But that doesn’t necessarily fit the mold of their motion-heavy, pass-first offensive approach. And his relentless driving didn’t work next to Green and Jackson-Davis in the frontcourt.
As a reserve, Kuminga’s score-first approach can be used as a curveball. It’s a well-rounded change of pace when Golden State needs to put pressure on the basket. The combo of Hield and Kuminga has given the Warriors one of the best 1-2 second-unit punches in the NBA. Even if the priority will be to keep those two engaged on both ends of the floor, one thing is a given every night: they will score the ball.
Maybe, Kuminga eventually becomes more than that, or the Warriors find him another home that allows him to stretch his legs even more. But the Dubs’ current starting unit of Jackson-Davis-Green-Wiggins-Melton-Curry seems to be a lock the rest of the way, and for a good reason.
Jonathan Kuminga 🇨🇩continues to impress (20 points) highlights vs. Oklahoma City Thunder.#NBAAfrica #NBAAfricanPlayers pic.twitter.com/xbaSfkMVG3
— NBA Africa (@NBA_Africa) November 11, 2024
As the trade deadline approaches, though, it’s fair to consider what the Warriors might do with a player like Kuminga. He’s looking for a contract extension and he might help them land their true second-option next to Curry while they chase another title.
Closing Out Games
Ask any Warriors fan to list one difference when comparing this year’s team to last season’s, and they’ll immediately say closing out games. Golden State played a league-high 48 clutch games last year and split them even at 24-24. It’s early, but the team is now 4-1 in clutch games with a net rating of plus-54.9.
They out-executed the defending champion Celtics in the fourth quarter, with Curry scoring 10 points and Kevon Looney nabbing extra possessions to beat them in Boston. They withstood two massive comebacks from the Thunder and Houston Rockets, as their defense — led by Green and Wiggins — helped them nab wins.
We got a glimpse of it all against the Mavericks in their first NBA Cup game on Tuesday. Wiggins was Doncic’s primary defender, using his length and frame to force Doncic into tough angles, with help from Melton and Curry. If Doncic made the pass over the top, the Warriors were well-equipped to recover. Green was the puppet master behind it all, and his unbelievable timing created one of the biggest plays late in the fourth quarter.
Back to back defensive possessions by Draymond to ultimately keep Golden State alive.
— Hoops Digest™️ (@TheHoopsDigest) November 13, 2024
Charge + Block on Gafford. Defense wins games. pic.twitter.com/M04m726NVF
After that, Curry’s brilliance took the Warriors home. In a flurry, he scored their final 12 points, including a tough layup and the dagger 3-pointer to cap off an excellent week of basketball with a win.
The Warriors team offense is intoxicating, but I’d be lying if I said it isn’t fun when they remember they can run simple mismatch hunting p&r with Steph Curry too.
— Hot Hand Theory (@HotHandTheory) November 13, 2024
Steph hits ’em with the night-night. Make sure to stick around for the full celebration.pic.twitter.com/SUsYrUEUsm
So, what have we learned from the Warriors’ grueling week of basketball to punctuate a 9-2 start?
They’re incredibly resilient, especially defensively. Their identity on that end is baked into the success they’ve seen thus far, and it’s helped fuel a potent transition game.
Green and Curry seemingly still have a lot left in the tank. When the right sort of versatile, scheme-driven personnel surrounds them, like it does this season, their individual games blossom.
We’ve learned that Kerr is flourishing as a tactician and decision-maker. He is willing to shuffle his rotation, utilize Kuminga and Hield as offensive weapons off the bench and find a way for everyone to fit into their style.
We’ve learned their success is real. There’s nothing flukey about how they’re winning games.
With one of the greatest players ever on their roster, one of the smartest defenders in the history of the game beside him and a platoon of useful, versatile role players, the sky is the limit for this team.
And they’re contenders.
