By Surina Pugh
The Warriors are off to a strong start this NBA season, holding a record of 11-3! Things are looking up! However, is this success sustainable?
Over the past few years, the Warriors’ performance has been a rollercoaster. They went from being a team that struggled to win, to bringing another championship to the Bay, and then missing the playoffs last season. This year their roster is composed of only three players who have been on the team for five or more seasons. With a new and much younger team, the Warriors still have an intriguing season ahead of them.
Coach Kerr's Rotation Prediction:
The long-term starting lineup for the Warriors is still uncertain. Though one could infer that Kerr’s preference has been Trayce Jackson-Davis (C), Draymond Green (PF), Andrew Wiggins (SF), De’Anthony Melton (SG), Stephen Curry (PG), based on his early season lineups and his recent comments about De’Anthony Melton before his season-ending ACL injury, the reality is that 11 different players have already been featured in the starting lineup this season, with many different combinations having success. While Curry and Green will almost certainly continue to start, the three other starters remain up in the air. At the center position, Kerr can realistically start Jackson-Davis (Kerr’s preference so far), Kevon Looney, or even Green (who has historically played, and is currently playing, at the power forward position). There are also six or more viable options for who to start at shooting guard, depending on the construction of the rest of the lineup. Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Wiggins, Lindy Waters III or Moses Moody (and Melton if he were available) all could fill the aforementioned role. Last season, when Wiggins was away from the team, Kerr started Jonathan Kuminga (who can play either power or small forward) in his place. The starters often fared better with Kuminga than they did with Wiggins. Interestingly, Kuminga and Wiggins had an overall negative impact when they played together, but as Kerr demonstrated in the preseason, the pairing might be worth another try this year. Both Kuminga and Wiggins bring different skills to the starting five, but surely these decisions will test Kerr’s loyalty to Wiggins and his faith in Kuminga.
SOME POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS (outside of Kerr’s current preference)
Trayce Jackson-Davis (C), Draymond Green (PF), Jonathan Kuminga (SF), Andrew Wiggins (SG), Stephen Curry (PG)
Trayce Jackson-Davis (C), Draymond Green (PF), Jonathan Kuminga (SF), DeAnthony Melton (SG), Stephen Curry (PG)
Draymond Green (C), Jonathan Kuminga (PF), Andrew Wiggins (SF), Brandin Podziemski (SG), Stephen Curry (PG)
Kevon Looney (C), Draymond Green (PF), Moses Moody (SF), Buddy Hield (SG), Stephen Curry (PG)
Four Keys to Winning:
Health & Availability
Staying healthy and available has been a prominent struggle for the Warriors in the past few years. Last season, Gary Payton II was injured frequently, Green got suspended a few times on top of missing games due to injury, and Wiggins had to take personal time away from the team due to family matters. These absences combined with other minor injuries throughout the year, made it hard to build chemistry and successful lineups. The Warriors had 27 different starting lineups in the 2023-24 season, which led to miscommunications and increased turnovers. So far this season, the Warriors have avoided major injuries aside from De’Anthony Melton, though Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins have missed some time with minor setbacks. If the Warriors’ key contributors can remain available and avoid injury, the current team can be expected to play more cohesively than last year, as well as have their preferred lineups accessible.
Defensive Mindset
Last year, the Warriors were inconsistent with their defensive intensity, looking aggressive one night, and on another looking lost. In order for them to win more games this season, they must stop the other team from scoring, and force their opponent's rotation players to take on bigger roles by taking opposing stars out of the game. Additionally, they need to manage how much they foul, so that they don’t gift their opponents an advantage at the free throw line. The phrase defense leads to offense should be the Warrior’s mantra. If they continue to force turnovers, they will have more transition opportunities resulting in easier points. Likewise, defensive stops give the opponent less of a chance to set up their defense, which should lead to increased offensive efficiency for the Warriors. During their hot start this season, the Warriors have been a top 10 defensive unit, holding teams to 110.8 points/game and picking up 15.7 turnovers/game. This is an improvement from last year, where the squad finished in the bottom half of the league, giving up 115.2 points/game and forcing 12.4 turnovers/game.
Balanced Offensive Contributions
More often than not, Curry has carried the burden of being the Warriors’ primary scorer. With his talent it’s easy to overlook the uncertainty of who else on the team will rack up points each game. In the preseason, Moody proved he can make shots efficiently and consistently, Hield showed off his ability to repeatedly cash in three-pointers, and others, like Lindy Waters III, have had dominant scoring games. However, in the early going, it has no doubt been Hield who has been a revelation off the bench, scoring 17.7 points per game as a product of his impressive 46.9 percent shooting from behind the 3-point arc. But the question of who will be the Warrior’s second and third scorers remains unanswered. Kuminga—if he can hold his own on defense—has a good chance of being either the second or third scorer. Wiggins and Podziemski have the potential to be dependable scorers as well.
Energy
The last but certainly not least key to winning is energy. It is essential that energy is sustained throughout the game, by both the starters and the bench. Energy facilitates spirit and momentum and exemplifies effort. Whether it is a simple celebration from the sidelines or diving for a loose ball on the floor, little demonstrations of support and hustle, both from those on and off the court, create a synergistic effect that can propel the team to win. When the Warriors lack energy, they play in a depleted manner, and their opponents, recognizing their state, tend to exploit it. Moments like those, change the game’s momentum, making the presence of energy paramount to success. With the Warriors being 11-3 to start the season, energy and joy not present last year has been visible in the team this year. This is demonstrated in performance, but also through the general vibe, clear to anyone who takes the time to watch the squad. Take Curry’s clutch performance against the Dallas Mavericks... that display of emotion was something unseen from Curry in a long time, and a testament to the way this team has been energized and invested so far this year.
Roster Overview:
Jonathan Kuminga (Position: F)
Arguably the most athletic player on the team, Kuminga, at his best, is an explosive scorer with the ability to guard stars like Paul George. In the preseason, Kuminga showed his versatility, knocking down three-pointers at a high rate, though as of right now his percentage is down in the regular season. He improved immensely last season, but will he be able to be a reliable contributor this year?
(Current stats: 14.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.8 apg)
Gary Payton II (Position: G)
GP2, at just 6’2”, can play any position on the floor. His hustle, infectious energy, and electric defensive plays make him a cornerstone in the Dub’s defense. After a series of injuries, the main concern for Payton is being able to stay healthy.
(Current stats: 4.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.1 apg)
Kyle Anderson (Position: SF)
Nicknamed “Slow-Mo”, Anderson plays basketball at his own pace. He is a versatile forward with sound decision-making. He will do the little things that don’t show up on the stat sheet that contribute to winning.
(Current stats: 5.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.7 apg)
Brandin Podziemski (Position: G)
Headed into his sophomore season, Podziemski, with Klay Thompson gone, has a lot of weight on his shoulders. Last year, he displayed his ability to be a crafty scorer with an emphasis on defense, leading the NBA in charges drawn. Podz will always bring what Looney has described as his ‘delusional’ confidence.
(Current stats: 8.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.5 apg)
Moses Moody (Position: SG/SF)
Whether in the rotation or not, Moody is a catch-and-shoot player known for staying ready. With his tenacious defense and quiet wisdom, Moody brings a veteran-like presence to the team. It is unclear if he will be in the starting lineup, but Coach Kerr deemed him “a rotation player,” after his performance in the preseason games. Shortly after winning the “Emerging Leader Award” (from the Urban League of Greater San Francisco Bay Area), Moody signed a $39M 3-year extension.
(Current stats: 9.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.0 apg)
Kevon Looney (Position: C)
Looney is many things: a yoga enthusiast, the Warrior’s third longest tenured player, and a steady leader. He has been a key mentor to young players, like Jackson-Davis and former Warrior Jordan Poole. Though he fell out of the rotation last year, Looney continues to be a rebounding specialist and expanded his repertoire this offseason.
(Current stats: 5.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.7 apg)
Buddy Hield (Position: SG)
One of the newest additions to the squad this year, many hope Hield will help fill the void Klay Thompson has left. Hield’s most promising skill is his three-point shooting. Making 58 more threes than Steph Curry over the past 5 regular seasons, will he be able to assist the Warriors in winning this season? As of right now, the answer seems to be yes.
(Current stats: 17.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.9 apg)
De’Anthony Melton (Position: G)
Melton, a combo-guard, can shoot, handle the ball, and is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. He proved he could make an immediate impact this season, however he will be undergoing season-ending surgery on his partially torn ACL.
(Current stats: 10.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.8 apg)
Gui Santos (Position: F)
The 55th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Santos spent the following season developing and bulking up with the Santa Cruz Warriors (Warriors' g-league affiliate). Describing Gui’s game, Steph Curry said, “He plays hard and he moves the ball. He knocks down shots.” The ever-smiling Santos is not afraid to use his size to get to the basket, but is still a young player developing his game.
(Current stats: 1.2 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.4 apg)
Andrew Wiggins (Position: SF)
Lots of basketball fans are wondering if Andrew Wiggins will be able to get back to his championship-winning self. That’s his goal. Wiggins has missed a lot of the last two seasons, but it still a threat offensively and defensively.
(Current stats: 14.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.3 apg)
Draymond Green (Position: PF)
The “heart” of the Warriors, Green brings a fiery personality and a strategic basketball mind to the team. With his timely passing and cerebral defense, the Warriors are much better off with him leading them on the court. There is no doubt that Green will be in the starting lineup this year if he is available.
(Current stats: 9.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.3 apg)
Stephen Curry (Position: PG)
Steph Curry, the greatest shooter of all time, is the star and starting point-guard of the Dubs. Holding the record for most three-pointers made in NBA history, Curry has made a big impact on the court, but he has also made a significant impact in the Bay Area community through his and Ayesha Curry’s foundation, Eat. Learn. Play.
(Current stats: 22.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 6.4 apg)
Trayce Jackson-Davis (Position: C)
Jackson-Davis brings the size, athleticism, and lob-threat that the Warriors have been critiqued for lacking. He is a promising young center who appears to be solidifying his role as the starting big. Sidenote: he gives great high-fives.
(Current stats: 8.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.3 apg)
Lindy Waters III (Position: SF)
Waters brings enthusiasm and energy whether he’s on the floor or cheering from the sidelines. He has a consistent jump shot and can come off the bench and score immediately. After hitting the game winning shot in the Warrior’s first preseason game this year, Waters detailed the importance of continuous hard work.
(Current stats: 5.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.4 apg)
Quinten Post (Position: C) (two-way contract)
With their sole draft pick, this summer the Warriors unexpectedly chose Quinten Post, a Dutch center who can space the floor with his shooting. Post put on a rocky display in the preseason, but veterans like Draymond Green are optimistic about his skills.
Pat Spencer (Position: G) (two-way contract)
A returning two-way player from last year, Pat Spencer has a unique story. He played college lacrosse and was drafted 1st in the Premier Lacrosse League before chasing his NBA dreams. Spencer has sneaky hops and can weave through defenders in order to score.
Reece Beekman (Position: G) (two-way contract)
Beekman went undrafted in the past draft, but after noticing his defense (he won ACC Defensive Player of the Year twice in college), the Warriors signed him to a two-way contract. Beekman’s defense, passing, and hustle look promising but he will need time to develop before he can earn minutes in the rotation.
With an 11 to 12 man rotation and an appetite for wins the Dubs have all the tools to be a thriving team in the NBA. So long as they stay healthy and avoid sloppy turnovers, this season looks to be one full of thrilling, team-centric games.