3 Statistics That Are Defining Golden State Warriors' Season so Far
The Golden State Warriors rode an impressive 16-game winning streak to the best record in the NBA, dominating both at home and on the road. Despite the streak coming to an end at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies, the Warriors still sit at the top of the Western Conference with a sparkling 21-3 record.
The road to the top has been paved by a combination of unstoppable offense and an immovable defense. Stars have shined, role players have stepped up, and behind it all is new head coach Steve Kerr. Kerr took Mark Jackson's talented roster and transformed it from an up-and-coming team to a legitimate contender.
The way he's done it is simple. The Warriors had the talent last season to do what they're doing now, but the execution was not there. Jackson relied on mismatches and isolation-heavy play, stopping the ball movement far too often. For a team that features phenomenal passers like Stephen Curry, Andrew Bogut and Draymond Green, that was just not the right formula for success.
Kerr has opened up the offense, stressing ball movement and finding the best shot. The result has seen a significant uptick in assists and shooting percentages. The Warriors finally have an offensive identity, and the stats are there to prove it.
Assists
The ball movement this season for the Warriors has elevated the offense to new heights. With either Curry running it from the top of the key or Bogut operating on the block, the ball continues to find open shooters.
Relying on multiple screens, pick-and-roll offense and a sprinkle of the triangle, the Warriors are generating 25 assists per game, good for fourth in the NBA. This is all with David Lee, one of the premier big-man passers in the NBA, still on the mend.
The Warriors are just 23 games into the Kerr experiment, and they're already producing at an elite level. As chemistry and continuity continues to grow and Lee makes his long-awaited return, the offense will only improve.
Adding Lee to the second unit will give it a dynamic scoring option who can also create shots for everyone else.
Defensive Dominance
As vital as Curry is to the success of the Warriors offense, Bogut is equally important on the defensive side of the ball. Whether it be blocking shots or merely challenging them, nobody alters more attempts.
When looking at the stat sheet, the Warriors are well represented. They're first in the NBA in defensive field-goal percentage at .450, first in blocked shots with 6.7 a contest and third in rebounding at 45.8 per game. Most importantly, however, they are ranked No. 1 in defensive efficiency.
For as much as people want to revel in the dynamic scoring of Curry and Klay Thompson, this team only goes as far as its defense takes it. As prolific a combo as the Warriors have at guard, the truth is that jump shooters are prone to off-shooting nights.
When that happens, the defense is what must bail them out. So far, it's done the job. The man leading the charge is Bogut. It's no surprise that the Warriors' win streak was ended with Bogut hobbled on the bench. As the anchor of the best defense in the league, it only makes sense that the Warriors sunk without him.
A healthy Bogut is the key to a deep playoff run.
Shooting Percentages
The road to becoming an elite offense was a little longer than anticipated, but at the quarter mark of the season, the Warriors have arrived. Boasting the third-highest scoring attack in the NBA, the offense is finally clicking at the rate it was always capable of.
Better ball movement this season has paved the way for more open shots than ever before. The Warriors are knocking down those shots with extraordinary regularity. Their shooting percentage has risen from 46.2 last season to 47.8 this year, the third-highest mark in the league.
They're nearly as good from the outside as well, where they combine high-volume shooting with efficient shot-making. Knocking down 9.5 three-point shots a game at a 37.1 percent clip, they create easy baskets at the rim by the mere threat of their aerial attack.
Coming into the season, the Warriors had a proven defensive identity. It was the offense that needed to catch up. It's done just that so far. Purging themselves of isolation ball and instead sharing the ball has defined the Warriors' hot start this season.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
