1. Should the Warriors limit Bogut’s minutes and sit him on back end of back to back games?
Jordan Ramirez
Yes, because Andrew Bogut is simply more important to this team come playoff time. Reaching 60 wins is now a realistic possibility, even more so with Bogut, but given the deep pool of Western Conference contenders the Warriors are looking at a difficult matchup regardless of seeding.
If limiting Bogut’s minutes to 22-25 a game keeps him healthy enough for a (hopefully) long playoff run, the team should absolutely do it. The problem becomes — and it hasn’t become one yet — is if Bogut’s absence means a loss of homecourt advantage.
The Warriors haven’t lost a beat with Bogut and Festus Ezeli sidelined, but can this hold up? Mo Speights has continued to impress in a career year, but is that sustainable over the rest of the season with Bogut and Ezeli playing less? I believe this team is good enough to beat any opponent with a limited Bogut and Ezeli, and the team should seriously consider the minutes limit and back-to-back process.
Danny Leroux
Yes, at least for now. With a playoff berth pretty secure, the priority has to shift to being healthy for the postseason. The Warriors likely do not have to worry about overworking their Center but to me there is a separate risk to injury that happens just by being on the court with other players flying around. This carries additional weight because of Bogut’s shockingly long history of freak injuries- even if those injuries are extremely unlikely, spending more time on the floor rolls the dice more times.
I want to be clear that the Warriors do not need to create some sort of rigid system, at least not yet. If Bogut thinks it will help him get back in shape to play a lower per-game workload more regularly the team should strongly consider it. Rather, they should look at playing time through the lens of how it affects the team being fully healthy in mid-April.
Sam Esfandiari
I’m not a doctor but layman’s opinion; yes. If I have one concern over this team it’s the medical staff. Adam Lauridsen of the Mercury News Fast Break blog mentioned rumors management was unhappy with the medical staff for missing so many diagnosis’ last season. This year nothing seems to have changed. Bogut was misdiagnosed etc. It’s not surprising teams like the Spurs are always healthy come playoff time because of an excellent medical staff who limits minutes appropriately.
But back to Bogut; limit minutes and no back to backs seems like the best recipe for post-season success. This team is proving it doesn’t ‘need’ Bogut night in, night out to beat most opposition.
2. Who are the top 3 Warriors in terms of importance?
Jordan Ramirez
Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are the most important Warriors and the core of this team moving forward. Curry is still playing on one of the best bargain contracts in sports, Klay Thompson is now a maximum contract player and Draymond Green is on his way towards a hefty new deal.
Green’s rise while Bogut has been out has truly shined light on everything he does for this team. When Curry gets trapped above the three-point line, Green can hit the open trey. If Green is switched on a bigger forward or center, he can guard them. If the team needs an important rebound or defensive stop, Green isn’t shying away from the big play. The Warriors are at their best when Bogut plays, but they’re not who they are without their heartbeat.
Danny Leroux
1. Curry
2. Bogut
3. Draymond
The first two should be close to non-negotiable at present. The third spot gets very tricky. Klay is a wonderful player and would have been third on my list at the start of the season but Draymond has been able to anchor the defense even without a true rim protector or even a true Center on the court. Steve Kerr putting additional defensive responsibility on Steph’s plate has weakened Klay’s importance too because of how heavily Coach Jackson used Klay to hide Curry.
Sam Esfandiari
1. Stephen Curry. Goes without saying.
2a. Klay Thompson. Thompson has his ups and towns but his importance to this team on both sides of the ball is second to none. Tom Haberstroh of ESPN insider recently posted an article on ‘gravity’. Gravity is defined as “the tendency of defenders to be pulled to certain parts of the floor.” To no ones surprise Stephen Curry ranked first. Klay Thompson, however, ranked 3rd only behind Kyle Korver. This means when Thompson and Curry are on the floor, they create more space than any duo in the NBA. We’ve seen huge upticks in production for Barnes, Green any basically anyone next to the Warriors starting backcourt. Curry drives this team on offense, but Thompson’s ability to be a legitimate respected 2nd option is what opens up the court for all the other role players.
2b. Draymond Green. I struggled with who to rank higher Green or Thompson. Green undoubtedly has the bigger defensive impact, however it’s my belief a large part of Green’s offensive explosion is a result of Curry and Thompson’s attention. Either way Green is absolutely vital to this team. Having a player capable of guarding legitimate 4s as well as switching onto guards gives the Warriors extreme flexibility defensively. His improved jumper and all around hoops IQ has helped space the floor offensively, allowing Curry to get to rim like he never has before. Beyond the court, it’s evident the team feeds his energy and passion, so much so Steve Kerr called him the ‘heartbeat’.
3. Will the Warriors have more than 1 All-Star?
Jordan Ramirez
Stephen Curry is a lock for the starting point guard spot in the West. Kobe Bryant is a lock to start at the shooting guard spot. James Harden and Chris Paul are locks as reserves.
That leaves Klay Thompson, Russell Westbrook and Damian Lillard as the final backcourt players in the discussion (Rajon Rondo has more votes than Westbrook, but I don’t feel like the coaches would pick the new Maverick over Westbrook).
You have to think that Damian Lillard would earn a spot given the Blazers’ fantastic season and his previous participation in All-Star events. Westbrook is a huge name and exciting player, but isn’t having a better season than Klay Thompson. Thompson deserves a spot given his impressive numbers and his placement on the best team in the NBA. I feel he’ll beat the odds and the coaches will make the right call.
Danny Leroux
Yes but I can certainly see a scenario where the team gets their second after someone declines their spot in the game due to injury or choice. Klay has the best chance of being the second Warrior due to his higher profile around the league but Backcourt spots in the West will be tough to grab, especially if Kobe grabs a spot as expected.
Sam Esfandiari
50-50. If Harden overtakes Kobe in all-star voting I’ll say 90% yes Klay Thompson goes. Since Kobe will likely be voted in, that causes a problem. Chris Paul and James Harden will be locks to take 2 back-up guard spots. The last 2 spots will be between Damian Lillard, Russell Westbrook and Klay Thompson. It’s hard to see the coaches leaving either Lillard or Westbrook off. It’s also hard to see the coaches leaving Thompson off given the Warriors record and the general respect he has earned. Warrior fans can make this easier buy focusing on voting James Harden into the starting backcourt next to Stephen Curry. It may feel wrong, but it’s the best means to an end to get Klay Thompson in. James Harden #NBABallot