The Golden State Warriors are facing a significant challenge this season: finding scoring and playmaking support for their star guard, Stephen Curry. Despite Curry’s exceptional performances, his team has been unable to secure consistent contributions from other players. Warriors coach Steve Kerr acknowledged this issue, stating, “No question, we need some scoring and some playmaking elsewhere.” Curry’s incredible 38-point game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night highlighted the extent of the problem. In fact, he has had to outscore any other player on the team by at least five points in all 11 games this season, a feat not accomplished since Michael Jordan in 1987-88. The lack of supplementary scoring is becoming a significant concern for the Warriors.
One of the distressing statistics for the Warriors is that Curry has consistently outperformed his teammates in scoring. He has surpassed his closest teammate by at least five points in every game this season. Additionally, he has already doubled his closest teammate’s scoring on five occasions, surpassing his performance from the entire previous season. This heavy reliance on Curry’s scoring demonstrates the team’s struggles to generate scoring from other sources. The offensive output of Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins, in particular, has been disappointing. Against the Timberwolves, Thompson finished with just 16 points, while Wiggins managed a mere six. The team desperately needs a more balanced scoring distribution to alleviate the burden on Curry’s shoulders.
Curry himself recognizes the need for adjustments and improvements. He acknowledges that opposing teams have developed specific strategies to guard against him and limit his impact, such as blitzing him in pick-and-roll situations. Curry insists that the team cannot continue relying on the same approach and expects different results. Instead, adjustments must be made to counter the defensive tactics employed against him. He emphasized the importance of getting smarter and more organized as a team.
Draymond Green believes that he and Chris Paul must take responsibility for organizing the team and ensuring that they are getting into offensive sets effectively. Green acknowledged that when Curry is performing at his best, he becomes a significant driving force for the team. However, it is crucial for Green and Paul to use Curry’s brilliance to create scoring opportunities for other players as well. They must find ways to involve their teammates, resulting in a more balanced offensive approach.
Earlier in the season, there were optimistic signs for the Warriors regarding their bench production. Golden State was ranked sixth in bench scoring, with an average of 41.1 points per game. This boost in scoring primarily came from the performances of their star bench player, Paul. However, despite the strong numbers, the team faced inefficiency in scoring, ranking 24th in field goal percentage and 25th in 3-point percentage. As the Warriors embarked on their six-game home stand, their offense outside of Curry has struggled to generate results. The team must find a way to improve their efficiency and capitalize on the potential provided by their bench players.
After suffering three consecutive losses, Coach Kerr admitted that adjustments may be necessary. While he initially stated that there were no immediate plans for changes, the close loss to the Timberwolves seemed to have opened up the possibility. Kerr expressed his willingness to explore different lineups or rotations if the team continues to struggle. With rookies Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson Davis showcasing their potential, Kerr may turn to them to provide a much-needed spark.
The Golden State Warriors are at a critical juncture in their season. They must find scoring and playmaking support for Stephen Curry to alleviate the heavy burden he carries. The team’s challenges extend beyond Curry’s remarkable performances, as other players have struggled to contribute consistently. To overcome this obstacle, the Warriors need to make vital adjustments, improve efficiency, and find creative ways to involve their entire roster in the offensive gameplan. Only then can they hope to regain their winning form and provide Curry with the support he so desperately needs.
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