The Season So Far:
Same old, same old. The Warriors are the only undefeated team in the NBA (7-0 as of this writing) and are beating opponents by an average of 18.3 points per game.
Oh, and that Stephen Curry guy currently has a 40.37 PER and has made more above the break threes (34) than eleven teams.
One more thing: the team did not agree to extensions with either Harrison Barnes or Festus Ezeli. This could be significant and I will explain why in the near future.
November 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Draymond Green (23) celebrate during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 112-108. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Soapbox: Special
Before the start of the season, it proved hard to articulate exactly what to expect this season from the Warriors. While they put together one of the most dominant seasons this millennium last year, there were reasons to think that a mostly healthy Golden State team could be even better than 2014-15. A full off-season having spent a year in the new system, amazing continuity and very few players on the wrong side of their prime all pointed to a potentially improved team.
So far, they have been.
While some of their opponents have been short-handed, the Warriors have been absolutely decimating the league in a way that provides its own context. Heck, they beat the Kings in a game where they (likely) tied the NBA record for most missed threes in a win with 31.
Festus Ezeli being on the court and playing so well gives the Warriors some different dimensions on offense and another piece to help them survive any injuries they face during the year. While far from definite, we could be talking at the end of the season about how Ezeli is already the best center on the Warriors.
Amazingly, the Warriors are dominating the league despite both Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes underperforming relative to expectations so far. Each has given reason for optimism recently but the Dubs doing so well with Bogut and Kerr out makes it even more of an accomplishment.
What makes the 2015-16 campaign so hard to process is that other than perfunctory baselines like making the playoffs and presumably hosting a playoff series, there are no regular season requirements for this Warriors team. That all comes in April, May and June where they get the chance to defend their title and establish a more prominent place in league history.
For fans, this means enjoy this legitimately special team for what they are but do so with the knowledge that we are still five months away from the start of the real fun.
Feb 22, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) high fives guard Reggie Jackson (1) during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
The Week to Come:
Golden State’s most interesting game comes on Monday when the Detroit Pistons come to Oracle. Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson have been playing incredibly well to start the season and put up an incredible fourth quarter against Portland Sunday night, outscoring them 41-11 in the final period. Also, Drummond is averaging 20.3 points per game and 20.3 rebounds per game heading into tonight’s contest.
After the Pistons, the Warriors head on the road for a back to back against Memphis and Minnesota. They return to the Bay Area to face the Brooklyn Nets, arguably the worst team in the league so far.
While they certainly could drop a game, the Warriors should finish the week 4-0.