Golden State Warriors Update: The Franchise Falls to the Hardwood

Eventually, it was bound to happen.  Everyone knew it.  Monta Ellis leads the league in minutes played, and that has consequences.  We are not talking about bone-tired turnovers at critical junctures late in games; they are a given, certainties.  We are discussing the limits a body can take.  

“The Franchise,” AKA Monta Ellis, plays 44 minutes of all out, fast-paced ball; late in a game, he drives to the hoop, a body twisting, jaw dropping, highlight reel move; he scores, he gets bumped (no foul), he lands awkwardly; his muscles, too fatigued to cushion the blow, fail him; his full body weight comes down on a joint—a knee, an ankle, a shoulder—and something gives. 

At that precise moment, the Warriors’ fat lady stands up, sings, and takes a bow.  For the Golden State franchise, it’s over.  There’s nothing left on the carcass, save more excuses—another untimely injury, a competitive loss, some tough calls.  You have heard them all before, many times.

No one dares to stand up and speak the truth: The Warriors play fundamentally-unsound basketball.  No defense, no half court offense, unforced turnovers, sloppy passing.  The team is poorly coached (rotation? what rotation? let's wing it).  The team has meager talent, having unloaded almost all of the quality players from three years ago, getting nothing in return.  We wonder if the Golden State organization is aware that its peninsula broken off and is aimlessly drifting in the vast ocean. 

Preseason, Chris Webber opined that Nellie would not get the 25 victories he needed this season to become the NBA’s all-time winningest coach.  Looks like a good call by C-Web.  The Warriors have 13 wins and 39 losses, on pace for 21 wins.  The record is not a fluke, not an outlier.  In the world of statistical sampling, if you could replay this season 100 times, the Warriors record would average 13-39, exactly what it should be.  

The Warriors’ sad state rekindles the old argument of worst NBA franchises in modern times.  In the next Warriors Update, we will compare the Warriors to the ‘09-‘10 Nets, the ’72-’73 76ers, and ‘05-‘06 Knicks.  Who stands out the most?  Stay tuned…

As always, go Ws…