Training camps are opening across the NBA, and with them comes the usual optimism about competing for championships.
There are some teams across the league, such as the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Phoenix Suns, that have never won a world title but truly believe this is their year to do so for the first time.
On the other hand, the Golden State Warriors are coming in not to merely win the world title, but to win their fifth in the last nine years.
Last season saw them undergo a process in which they regained their mojo and reasserted their superiority over the rest of the basketball world, as they beat back the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals after trailing the series 2-1.
The Warriors looked great in spurts last year, but this year, they can be even better, if not dominant.
Not a whole lot will need to go right for them to do just that.
Klay Thompson Needs To Be His Old Self
After suffering a torn ACL and a torn Achilles that prevented him from playing in an NBA game for two-and-a-half calendar years, Klay Thompson finally returned to game action in January.
For much of the regular season, he was up and down as he worked on regaining his timing and functional fitness, but late in the schedule, he showed signs of getting back his mojo.
After shooting 42.9 percent overall and 38.5 percent from 3-point range in the regular season, Thompson posted similar numbers in the playoffs, but he broke out at opportune times, such as the Warriors’ close-out games in the second and third rounds, as well as Game 5 of the championship series.
Klay Thompson goes off for 32 points in Game 5 as the Warriors advance to the NBA Finals over the Mavericks 120-110.
📺 WATCH the highlights here: pic.twitter.com/IWx6rJz1Qv
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) May 27, 2022
This has been the first summer in a while that he has been able to focus on training and conditioning, rather than rehab, which should help his consistency this season.
James Wiseman Needs To Contribute
As a rookie in the 2020-21 campaign, James Wiseman, the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, flashed his potential by putting up 11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 21.4 minutes per game.
25 PTS
9-14 FG
6 REB
2 BLKJames Wiseman balled out on #WarriorsGround pic.twitter.com/FTS0yeifSs
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 28, 2021
Unfortunately, he tore the meniscus in his right knee in April 2021, and thus he missed all of last season.
As a 7-foot, 240-pound big man, Wiseman can help the Warriors at their weakest position: center.
He played in the NBA Summer League a couple of months ago, and he looked good at times on both ends of the floor, leading observers to believe he can make an impact this coming season.
By playing defense, grabbing rebounds, setting screens, running the floor, and hitting 3-pointers, Wiseman can make the game easier for his teammates.
Jonathan Kuminga Needs To Continue To Grow
Last season, Jonathan Kuminga, the seventh overall pick in the 2021 draft, became a contributor for Golden State, averaging 9.3 points in 16.9 minutes per game while shooting 51.3 percent from the field.
At 6-foot-8, he can play the 3 and 4, which can allow the Warriors to reduce the minutes of Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green, which could keep them fresh for the playoffs and even extend their careers.
Kuminga has plenty of room for improvement with his defense and 3-point shooting, both of which are points of emphasis for head coach Steve Kerr.
Unfortunately, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said recently he has heard bad things about his dedication and attitude off the court.
But if Kuminga is committed and motivated, he can play a sizable role in extending Golden State’s championship window.
NEXT: The Warriors Contemplate A Young Star’s Future
