As the new NBA season unfolds, the Golden State Warriors once again find themselves in familiar territory—starting strong. With a current record of 4-1, the team is echoing their early success from last season, when they began with a 5-1 start. However, that promising beginning turned sour as they lost seven of their next eight games, eventually leading to an early exit from the Play-In Tournament. Now, the Warriors are determined not to repeat the pitfalls of the past.
The Warriors have kicked off the season with notable victories over the Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz. These wins come with an impressive combined 77-point margin, setting a new NBA record and signaling their intent to dominate early on. Yet, a stumble against the Los Angeles Clippers, where superstar Stephen Curry exited due to a peroneal strain in his left ankle, proved that challenges abound even amid a strong opening run.
Resilience reigned in their response as the Warriors bounced back with consecutive wins against the New Orleans Pelicans. However, it's essential to note that the Pelicans were without key players such as Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, and Herb Jones during their second matchup. This context cannot be ignored as the Warriors navigate a competitive league.
Defense has emerged as a hallmark of the Warriors' early season play. Entering Friday’s schedule, they boasted a defensive rating under 100.0, a testament to their focus on shutting down opponents. Veteran forward Draymond Green, who has long been a linchpin of their defensive schemes, seems reinvigorated by this defensive improvement. Expressing his reinvigorated ambitions, Green told Tim Kawakami, "I've been inspired by the team's defensive prowess, expressing my desire to return to relevancy in the Defensive Player of the Year discussions."
Part of the Warriors' success lies in their teamwork and movement on offense. Leading the league in assists, they have consistently emphasized ball movement, creating open shots and opportunities for their shooters. This teamwork extends beyond passing, as they rank second in the league with an average of 17.6 made three-pointers per game. Buddy Hield has been a significant contributor in this department, providing over 21 points per game and hitting 50% of his nearly 10 attempts from beyond the arc—with remarkable consistency.
Looking ahead, the Warriors face a grueling road trip with games against Houston, Cleveland, Boston, and Oklahoma City, teams combining for an intimidating 13-1 record. These games will test their resilience and their ability to maintain momentum against formidable opponents. Upon returning home, challenges continue as the Warriors host the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies, further testing their mettle.
As the Warriors strive to distance themselves from the shadows of last season's downturn, they remain focused on maintaining their strong start and building upon the foundational aspects of their game—defense, ball movement, and shooting. Lessons from their previous missteps loom large as a reminder of the volatility of an NBA season. Yet, armed with experience and renewed determination, the Warriors appear poised to chart a different course this time around.