After losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals in six games, the Golden State Warriors made some changes this past offseason. The front office traded Jordan Poole to the Washington Wizards for Chris Paul and signed Cory Joseph and Dario Saric in free agency.
With Paul, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson leading the way, the Warriors were projected to compete for a championship. However, Golden State has gotten off to a poor start this season, so much so that some NBA pundits don't think the Warriors will make the playoffs.
While it's still too early for the Warriors to panic, there are many areas they need to clean up.
5. The Golden State Warriors Are Not Shooting The 3-Ball Well
The Golden State Warriors were second in the NBA last season in 3-point percentage. They shot 38.5% from beyond the arc as a team.
However, this season, that percentage is down to 34.8%. They are 21st in the league.
During this run where the Warriors have won four championships and played in six NBA Finals, Golden State has been at the top of the league in 3-point shooting percentage. It's not a surprise that the Warriors are playing poorly this season. If they can't hit 3-pointers at a high rate, they can't flourish offensively.
After all, the Warriors don't have a dominant big man in the paint who can score easy baskets. Golden State relies on jumpers a lot and it's worked in the past because of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson's shooting prowess. Curry is still an elite player, but Thompson is past his prime and can't shoot from deep as consistently as he used to.
The same goes for Andrew Wiggins. The athletic forward seems to have lost his shooting touch this season as well.
4. Stephen Curry Has No Help
Stephen Curry is averaging 30.7 points on the season. The second-leading scorer on the Golden State Warriors is Klay Thompson, who is averaging 14.6 points. That's a huge drop-off between a team's leading and second-leading scorer.
It took more than 12 games for a Warriors player other than Curry to score 20 points this season. Curry outscored every teammate by at least five points in the 11 games he appeared in this season, the longest streak to begin a season since Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan in 1987-88 (11).
“There’s always been a certain approach to guarding us,” Curry said. “For years, you know where attention is going to be. Usually try to blitz me in a pick-and-roll, stay body-tight on Klay … whatever the case is we have to make adjustments. We can’t just keep doing the same thing and expect a different result. It’s not a panic or anything. It’s just a matter of getting a little smarter and a little bit more organized.”
The Warriors are averaging 112.9 points as a team. That's 16th in the league. They were second in the NBA last season in points per game. Curry's teammates are just not scoring the ball like they did last season or two years ago during the title run and that's why the team doesn't look right in 2023-24.
3. Klay Thompson Doesn't Look Good
Klay Thompson, one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, is shooting 34.2% from beyond the arc and hasn’t scored 20 points once this season. The Golden State Warriors legend can't seem to find his shooting stroke, but he's not losing confidence in himself.
“I feel great,” Thompson said. “Well, I don’t feel great right now because we lost three in a row. But I feel great physically. … If history shows us anything, it’s most definitely coming. What’s the point of panicking and pressing?
“I’ve been through this more than a decade. It’s hard. Basketball is hard. I’m not going to lose faith or confidence. One thing I’ve proved is the resiliency within me. I’ll come back and have a great month. First 10 games, I didn’t shoot it as I’m capable, so the next 10 games, I’ll be lights out.”
Thompson becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season. Is he pressing since he didn't get an extension? It's possible.
Thompson's shot hasn't looked right all season. He's missing open looks at least three times a game. The guard shot 1-of-8 from 3 versus the Detroit Pistons and 3-of-11 from deep on opening night against the Phoenix Suns.
If Stephen Curry's splash brother doesn't find his jumper, the Warriors will not have any success this season.
2. The Golden State Warriors Are Struggling To Make Baskets
The Golden State Warriors are 26th in the NBA in field goal percentage. They can't hit 2-pointers or 3-pointers right now. The Dubs are shooting 44.5% from the field as a team.
Chris Paul is shooting 37.6% from the field, Andrew Wiggins is shooting 39.5%, Jonathan Kuminga is shooting 39.6% and Klay Thompson is shooting 42.3%. Those are poor shooting numbers from Stephen Curry's supporting cast.
Paul, Wiggins, and Thompson will have to shoot the ball better moving forward for the Warriors to get back into contention. Teams who are inefficient don't win games consistently. They usually hover under mediocrity and that's the best word to describe Golden State right now.
“We’re forcing shots or jumping and turning the ball over," Draymond Green said. "So I think we have to do a better job of spacing the floor. And if the floor is spaced, then you can exploit their weaknesses.”
Everything on offense is hard for the Warriors right now. They can't seem to generate easy shots. If that continues, we may be looking at the end of Golden State's dynasty.
1. The Golden State Warriors Are Old
The Golden State Warriors are the third-oldest team in the NBA. Teams with old rosters don't win anymore. Yes, Stephen Curry is still a superstar despite being 35. However, Klay Thompson (33), Chris Paul (38), and Draymond Green (33) are past their primes and can no longer play at a high level every single night.
Paul is averaging a career-low 8.8 points this season. He's also shooting a career-low 37.6% from the field and 20.0% from beyond the arc. The trade with the Washington Wizards for Jordan Poole has not paid dividends at all.
The Warriors look like a play-in team right now. The roster is too old, which explains why the team can't shoot jumpers. All the shots are short because guys -- outside of Curry -- don't have any lift on their jumpers.
Golden State shocked the NBA by winning the title in 2022 when everyone thought the dynasty was over. Unless the Warriors' front office makes a blockbuster trade to get younger players around Curry who can shoot and score, this looks like the end of Golden State's great run.
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