Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors are not off to a strong start.
At 6-8, they sit in 11th place in the Western Conference.
Curry has been sensational offensively – 31.5 points and 6.4 assists per game on 69.2% True Shooting.
The only player to average 30+ points on 50/40/90 shooting was Steph Curry in 2015-16.
He's currently on pace to do it again.
GSW/PHX, 10pm/et, ESPN pic.twitter.com/fMpPJjZrlY
— NBA (@NBA) November 16, 2022
The Warriors have been good on offense.
They score the third-most points per game and have an offensive rating just outside the top 10.
Golden State has shot the ball well from all over the floor and dishes out the most assists per game of any team.
It is on the other side of the court they fall short.
The Warriors surrender 117.5 points per game – the fourth-worst mark league-wide.
Their 113.8 defensive rating is just outside the bottom five.
A stark contrast to their league-leading defensive rating a year ago.
Here are two bold predictions for the remainder of the Warriors’ season.
1. Warriors Go All-In On Current Timeline
It is well known the Warriors are tiptoeing two different timelines right now.
The current one with Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green; and the future one with James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody.
Expect the Warriors to go all-in on their current players to maximize the last few years of their careers.
“We know this isn't going forever. This could be the last year, maybe next year is the last year. We're in the final stages. We know that.”
– Steve Kerr on the Warriors
(Via ESPN) pic.twitter.com/mMpYrHqAQe— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) November 16, 2022
There are two reasons to expect this.
One is because they have earned it.
Four NBA Finals out of six total trips proves this group knows what it takes to win it all.
They have the talent and chemistry needed to reach the peak of the mountaintop.
And while they are all past 30, the right pieces around them should give Golden State another few years of championship contention.
Reason number two is the future is not guaranteed to provide the same results.
Franchises do everything in their power to make it to the Finals once.
The Warriors youngsters have seen what it takes to win at the highest level.
But there is no guarantee they actually will win at the highest level.
Look for Golden State to cash in their young trade chips for pieces that can contribute now.
2. Golden State Defense Finishes Top-10
This prediction goes together with the other prediction.
Wiseman is the most likely trade candidate amongst their young prospects and is also one reason the Warriors’ defense has regressed.
Wiseman is still learning the nuances of playing NBA-caliber defense as a big.
And while he has major upside defensively, he has not tapped that potential yet.
The Warriors should look to flip Wiseman for a bigger wing that can switch across multiple positions.
Golden State is clearly missing the likes of Otto Porter Jr., Gary Payton II, and Juan Toscano-Anderson in their switch-heavy scheme.
Replenishing their wing rotation through a trade of one of their young prospects should get the defense back up to snuff.
The Warriors consistently had a defense in the top half of the league during the peak of their reign.
That core should be able to return to the top 10 with the addition of some quality wing defenders.
NEXT: The Warriors Make A Surprising Move With A Young Star