Golden State Warriors:
The days of Mark Jackson are finally over in Golden State. Jackson is
more of a preacher than an NBA coach, as Golden State’s offense lacked ball
movement and synergy. Jackson’s offense could be summed up in four wordS:
“Steph Curry DO SOMETHING”. Curry would come off of a screen, dribble around
another screen and then hoist up a three. Steve Kerr has been brought in to
utilize the many threats that the Warriors offer. Klay Thompson looks primed to
have a breakout year. Steph Curry might be the best jump shooter the league has
ever seen and will look to continue his dominance. Curry averaged 24 points a
game and shot 42% from three point range. Curry averaged 8.5 assists, cementing
his place as a point guard. I personally think Curry would be perfectly suited
as a shooting guard and that point guard with range would work wonders with
this offense. Curry at the two, Klay at the three, Iggy at the four and Bogut
is scary. Andre Igoudala is a great defender but Kerr might use him off the
bench. It’s an interesting idea but it depends on who starts in his place.
Draymond Green can shoot the three and defend the perimeter and Harrison Barnes
fits in well with Klay and Curry. Kerr will have a tough decision as to who he
starts if he indeed tries to bring Igoudala off the bench. The Warriors added
Leondro Barbosa but Barbosa is well past his prime and the Warriors would be
wise to give his minutes to someone younger and more deserving.
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| Klay Thompson has looked great in the preseason |
Who says no to this trade?
Imagine how many open looks Curry and Klay would get with Rubio
running the point! Igoudala alleys! The Wolves would rid themselves of Kevin
Martin’s contract and get a nice piece in Harrison Barnes.
How about this trade?
Warriors get Rubio and shooter Kevin Martin. Wolves get 2 years of
Eric Gordon instead of Lee and Pelicans get Lee. Well Lee doesn’t really fit
the Pelicans does he? How about another trade!
Okay who says no to this one?
Question: What’s going on with Klay and the Warriors?
Much has been said about Klay Thompson
and the Warriors hesitance at offering him a max deal. I don’t think Warriors
fans have to worry about Klay leaving any time soon. I’d bet everything on the
Warriors retaining him for years to come. Klay is a restricted free agent, which means that the
Warriors can match any deal. History suggests that restricted free agents who
sign an offer with a different team (and are matched) stay with their team. What
happened when Eric Gordon signed a deal with the Suns and was convinced he was
going there? The then Hornets matched and he stayed. What happened when Batum
signed a deal with the Timberwolves? The Blazers matched and he has stayed
there ever since. Did Deandre Jordan signing with the Warriors end his Clipper
career? No, because they matched it and he's been happy ever since. Gordon
Heyward is the latest example of guys signing an offer, stating that their
"heart is in _____" but then their team matches and they stay there
for the next 5 years. Klay is going to get the max albeit from the Warriors or
from another team. Either way, he'll stay in Golden State. Why would the
Warriors reject trading Klay for Kevin Love (something I think they’ll regret)
if they did not see him being part of the future?
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| Curry's shot chart (above) is unbelievable |
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| Klay's shot chart (above) isn't bad either |
Klay shot chart is not as
impressive but it’s pretty damn good. The “Splash Brothers” might be the best
shooting duo the NBA has ever since. Steve Kerr is a great NBA mind and has a
chance to take the Warriors to new levels. Andre Igoudala returns after a successful
first season. Igoudala’s perimeter defense is key to hiding Curry and David
Lee’s defensive faults. Lee has lost more than a step and is now a bad contract
on a very good team. Kerr wants a stretch four (Love would’ve been perfect) to
pair with Bogut and Lee is an odd pairing. Lee can rebound but offers nothing
on defense and is no longer a very good offensive weapon. Harrison Barnes needs
to show the promise that he flashed during his rookie year and Bogut needs to
stay healthy. The Warriors signed Shaun Livingston who will look to take some
pressure off of Curry. Livingston has a great post up game for a point guard
and is a better defender than Steph. Livingston can play the two which will
also allow Klay to get some rest. Draymond Green was one of the stars of the
postseason for his hustle and clutch shots but is he really that good? Green is
a great glue guy but he’ll be overpaid role player once his contract ends.
Think Landry Fields.
X-Factor: Andrew Bogut
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| Bogut (above) will have a big impact in Kerr's offense |
Bogut
will probably never live up to the high expectations that were given to him
when he was drafted number one by the Bucks. Bogut is a very good center who
was completely ignored in Mark Jackson’s “offense” Look for Kerr to utilize
Bogut more to open up Curry and Klay for more open threes. Bogut is a very good
rim protector and is one of only a few two way centers. Bogut’s real trouble
has been staying on the basketball court. How will Kerr keep Bogut on the
court? Mareese Speights is a power forward who can shoot midrange jumpers and
Festus Ezeili is an energy guy. No, I expect Kerr to use a lot of small lineups
which means putting Bogut at the five and surrounding him with forwards and
guards and maybe even using Lee as the center with four smaller players.
Bogut’s health (along with Steph’s) is Golden State’s biggest concern. I trust
Kerr enough to make this team elite when healthy.
Best case: Kerr is as good of a coach is Jackson is bad
and the Warriors cruise, Curry and Thompson enjoy career years and Bogut stays
healthy
Worst case: Kerr doesn’t have the impact that I think he
will. Curry and Bogut get hurt
Bold Prediction: Warriors have best offense in league.
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