5 New Year's Resolutions for the Golden State Warriors
With 2014 coming to a close, the Golden State Warriors—like everyone else—will reflect on what was and begin to focus on what will be. From unexpected stardom to crushing injuries, the Warriors are in the midst of a magical season, one filled with all the peaks and valleys you’d expect midway through a fairytale.
As astonishing as the Warriors’ season has been thus far, it will all mean nothing if they don’t set some goals for the remainder. This is team—for as good as it has indeed been—that can be even better.
The individual ability of every player meshing together is what makes a team all it can be. For some of the Warriors, minor improvements can be made to elevate the roster as a whole.
While the rest of the world is busy coming up with their New Year’s Resolutions right now, the Warriors need not look any further than right here to find theirs: some of the key areas the Warriors can improve to cement their status as contenders.
Klay Thompson Will Improve as a Rebounder
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Klay Thompson possesses one of the sweetest strokes in the NBA and has developed into one of the premier shooting guards in the NBA. His scoring has risen every season in the league and currently sits firmly at 21.1 per game, good for fifth among his position.
While his shooting is and always will be his greatest weapon, it is his tremendous size that has allowed his offensive game to soar. Whether he is taking advantage of smaller players on the block or simply taking defenders off the dribble and to the rim, his size has made him a nightmare of a matchup.
As a 6’7” guard, it’s natural to assume he would develop into an elite rebounder at his position as well. For some inexplicable reason, however, he hasn’t been. He hasn’t even been above average for that matter.
Thompson’s 3.6 rebounds per game place him a three-way tie for 15th among all NBA shooting guards. That’s well behind the ancient Kobe Bryant, the supposedly one-dimensional Kyle Korver and Thabo Sefolosha, who is rebounding more in 18.3 minutes of action than Thompson is in 33.3.
It’s an embarrassing stat for a man as physically gifted as Thompson, especially when considering the guard playing alongside of him, Stephen Curry, brings down 5.0 rebounds per game. While Thompson has been blessed with size, Curry has developed a nose for the ball, always knowing where it’s going to deflect.
Thompson drastically affects every game with his scoring and defense, but he is still capable of more. Rebounding has more to do with effort than anything else, and if Thompson gives just a bit more in this department, the Warriors could be even better for it.
Stephen Curry Will Raise His Three-Point Shooting
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Stephen Curry is having another tremendous year, averaging 22.8 points, 7.7 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game. He’s been more efficient from the field than ever before, knocking down 49 percent of his shot attempts. Yet, his wizardry this year notwithstanding, there is one very odd stat that just jumps off the page: Three-point shooting.
As his career has unfolded, Curry has been dubbed the greatest shooter in the game today, some even going as far as saying in history. Blending extreme volume with uncanny efficiency made Curry one of the most dangerous offensive forces in the NBA.
That’s why it’s so strange to see him shooting under 39 percent from three-point range this season. While that is still tremendous efficiency for as much as he shoots, it’s not what we’ve come to expect from Curry. A career .435 shooter from the outside, seeing him dip this low seemed impossible.
Curry’s track record is too good for us to believe he’ll stay under 40 percent from three-point range. Look for that mark to steadily rise as the season goes along.
David Lee Will Become a Force on the Second Unit
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David Lee has proven to be a star in the NBA, a double-double machine with a unique offensive game. He’s been a starter for the vast majority of his career, ranging from a first option in his time with the New York Knicks to a fourth option in Golden State.
Injuries derailed the start of the season for him, and while he was watching from the bench he saw more than just the best team in the league. He watched his starting spot get snatched away.
Draymond Green has just played that well.
Lee will have to acclimate himself to the bench if he is to have a role on this team. His skill set ensures he will do just that. Lee thrives when the ball is dumped down to him in the post. Whether he is busy torturing his defender or finding an open teammate, Lee needs the ball in his hands to really show his value.
There wasn’t a lot of room for him to do that in the starting lineup, not with offensive dynamos like Curry and Thompson soaking up shots. On the bench, Lee can be featured like he should be, creating the offense and ensuring there are no lapses.
His relegation to the second unit will prove to be a blessing in disguise for the Warriors.
Steve Kerr Will Limit Andrew Bogut
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We all want to see Andrew Bogut on the court. The Warriors are just so much better with him in the lineup. Unfortunately for them, injuries are a part of the game, and in the case of Bogut, a very large part.
Bogut is once again on the mend, having just missed his 10th-straight game after the Tuesday contest against the Philadelphia 76ers. Currently nursing a knee injury, the sight of Bogut in a suit on the bench has become all too common for the Warriors.
That’s why Steve Kerr must limit his minutes upon his return to the lineup. The Warriors are more than capable of making the postseason with small doses of Bogut, but to make a run they’ll need him healthy and playing meaningful minutes.
The only way Bogut will be around in the playoffs is if he’s not around as much in the regular season. Kerr must be strict with his minutes, trading a few wins now for success later.
After Curry, Bogut is the most vital part of an extremely talented roster. Limited playing time is a small price to pay for the payoff it could ultimately bring.
Andre Iguodala Will Expand His Role
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Andre Iguodala has developed into the ultimate conundrum, a player who brings value to any team but not enough to warrant his expensive price tag.
Statistically, Iguodala is having the worst season of his career, averaging just 7.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists, all career lows. He’s become an afterthought on offense, occasionally bringing the ball up the court but for the most part functioning as merely a decoy or spot-up shooter.
It’s easy to look at his astronomical plus-minus, +11.2, and say his value goes beyond the stat sheet, but when playing on the Warriors, that number is clearly skewed. They have the best point differential in the league, so any player on the roster will have an inflated point value, regardless of their contribution.
Still, Iguodala’s value on defense and as a team leader cannot be understated. His role has been different than from years past, and he’s played that fairly well. For a player making more than $12 million a season, however, it’s safe to say he’s been a major disappointment.
Iguodala is far too talented to settle for such a small piece of the pie. The Warriors must find a way to get the most out of his unrivaled skill set to truly be elite. Iguodala has been wasted on the Golden State roster for far too long.
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