Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry Will Lead Golden State Warriors to Breakout Year

Two years ago, the tandem of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a surprise playoff run and even challenged the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs. Last year, the Memphis Grizzlies offered a similar season, surprising everyone and making a trip to the playoffs where they ousted the top seeded San Antonio Spurs. This year that distinction will go to the Golden State Warriors. 

I'm not saying this because they upset the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks in their last two games. I said it before that happened. So no, this is not some overreaction to a couple of games. 

For the most part, the Warriors have been a horrendous defensive team for the last several years. However, I am of the opinion that there is a big difference between "can't" and "don't" in terms of defense. Some players try and fail, others fail because they don't try. 

The Warriors, by and large, are of the latter description. 

Enter new head coach Mark Jackson, the NBA's third all-time leading facilitator with over 10,000 career assists. During his career, Jackson also spent some time under defensive guru and present head coach of the Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau.

That tenure include the 2000-2001 Knicks, who set an NBA record by holding 33 consecutive opponents under 80 points.

Jackson brings two things to the Warriors. First, he brings a defensive mindset. Second, he brings a know-how, particularly to the backcourt.

The Golden State Warriors two best athletes and players, Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry, are in their backcourt. Neither player exactly shined when it came to defense, though. 

Curry gave up .86 points per play last year, according to the Synergy tracking data. Ellis gave up .91 points per play. Those numbers are both below average, although Curry's are slightly below average and Eillis' were well below average. 

While Ellis averaged 2.1 steals per game, it would be misleading to think that made him a good defender. Ellis was a gambler and often got beat on the far more numerous times he tried and failed to get the steal. 

While there's not enough data yet to really surmise anything about the improvement of the individual players defensively, it's evident watching the game that the Warriors have a different attitude. The Warriors use their speed on the perimeter to constantly harass what the other team is trying to do. 

They are rotating better and stopping penetration. Even Derrick Rose had trouble getting into the paint. 

They are discombobulating offenses and forcing turnovers. To be specific, 35 in the last two games against the Bulls and Knicks. 

The defense seems to be improving with each game. Against the Clippers they gave up 105, Chicago 91, and New York 78. This is a team that is loaded with scoring potential that is suddenly having a defensive awakening.

The pair will lead the Warriors to the postseason, but the reason they'll do so is by stepping up things on the defensive end of the court.