Golden State Warriors’ ‘Strength in Numbers’ Burns Bright like the 14-15’ Championship Run
The Golden State Warriors continued their blazing start as Stephen Curry delivered a remarkable performance, trouncing the Damian Lillard led Portland Trailblazers by 15.
Steph and Jordan Poole
“Strength in Numbers”
Strength in numbers in its truest form, is the purest exhibit of basketball. It’s what attracted future Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Kevin Durant to join the Warriors back in the summer of 2016. Ball and player movement, to go along with excellent shooting and passing is what makes this run of strength in numbers similar to its original season in 2015.
Both this season and the 2014-15 season have many similarities, however the buck starts and stops with future Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Stephen Curry. Steph is what gives the warriors their identity and what eventually attracted KD to join the Warriors. In the 2014-15’ season, Steph averaged 24 ppg, on 49% shooting from the field and 44.3% from three per NBA.com. Compared to this season where Steph is averaging 28 ppg, on 46% shooting and 41% from three through 19 games. Though Steph’s shooting percentages are down just a tad from his first MVP season, he is averaging the highest plus/minus (+/-) of his career at 15.1. The plus/minus stat reflects on how the team performs while that player is on the court. If a player has a +5 PM, it means his team outscored the opponent by 5 points while he was on the court. Steph’s lethal shooting ability, matched with his unbelievable movement without the basketball and tremendous conditioning/stamina allows him to draw so much attention from opposing defenses; allowing roll players to get great looks. Steph’s center of gravity on the court is why the Warriors are one of the most efficient teams in the NBA.
Offensively, the team’s statistics are almost identical to their 2014-15 championship run. Thus far in the 2021 season, the Warriors are averaging 115 pts on 47% shooting from the field and 36% from three per NBA.com. Whereas in the 2014/15 season, the Warriors averaged 110 pts on 47% from the field and 39% from three. To add to the Warriors red hot start offensively, the Dubs have scored over 100 points in every game thus far. This is all without Klay Thompson who is a career 20 ppg scorer, averaging 46% from the field and 42% from the 3-point line. Pair that with the return of James Wiseman, who the Warriors expect to return fully healthy and take a big step in his contribution on the court this season, you have a dangerous Warriors team with more chemistry than any other team in basketball.
Defensively, the Warriors have been lockdown. According to NBA.com, the Warriors have a league best 99.4 defensive rating which is the highest in the league and also better than their defensive rating in their 2014-15 campaign. The Dubs are also 1st in opponent field goal percentage, 4th in points allowed, 3rd in steals and 3rd in opponent 3pt percentage. If that sums up how impressive the Warriors defense has been this year, the Dubs also put together an impressive defensive performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Down 13 in the beginning of the 4th quarter, the Warriors put on a defensive and offensive tear out scoring the Cavs 36-8. The Dubs held the Cavs to 2-14 shooting from the field which led to a 104-89 win.
Led by veteran leadership by the core three, the improvement of the young talent on the roster and excellent additions in free agency, the Warriors are poised to make a deep run in the playoffs and are serious contenders to win the NBA title this season. With Klay's return looming in the coming weeks, the Warriors will be back to full strength with their core three for the first time in two years. With title hopes in their grasp, the Warriors are determined to make this season just as special as their first championship run.
