As the opening of the new season draws closer and closer, USA Basketball continues its traditional presentation, franchise by franchise, of the upcoming NBA season. Like every year, this one takes the form of a countdown, from the worst record in the league to our favorite for the title of champion.
After the Suns yesterday, we head to the San Francisco Bay Area to wonder if Draymond Green’s new explosion will trigger the end of the Warriors dynasty or if they can hope to keep their championship title.
After two seasons in purgatory, Steve Kerr’s gang regained their identity last season despite numerous injuries and a Curry-Green-Thompson trio limited to just 11 minutes together on the court in the regular season. Third in the Western Conference, they managed to reach the NBA Finals by easily overcoming the Nuggets, before whipping against the Grizzlies, and finishing by muzzling Luka Doncic and the Mavs.
Their experience, their intractable defence, the blossoming of Jordan Poolethe strength of Kevon Looney and D’Andrew Wigginsand a Stephen Curry finally MVP of the Finals allowed them to win the last three games of the Finals against the Celtics, to win their fourth league title in the last eight seasons.
Between experience and youth
The champagne and confetti, however, quickly gave way to financial reality. Golden State had to resign itself to letting go of Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica, three valuable players in their rotation so as not to blow up their “luxury tax”. Bob Myers, however, had two good shots when going for the back Donte DiVincenzochampion with the Bucks in 2021, and JaMychal Green which will bring hardness and address to the interior. They also retained the sage, Andre Iguodalawhile the latter had nine retired toes.
These summer decisions will also make it possible to give responsibilities to the “Baby Dubs”. Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga will have to confirm in their second season while James Wiseman, number 2 in the 2019 Draft, finally looks healthy. To this trio, let’s obviously add Jordan Poole. The Wisp exploded last season to establish himself as an indispensable Golden State player alongside the veterans.
After having started their training camp well with the NBA Japan Games, the Warriors almost descended into chaos last week when Draymond Green decided to come to blows with Jordan Poole, all against the backdrop of possible contract extensions for the two protagonists, but also Andrew Wiggins.
On paper, the Warriors are therefore among the favorites to leave the Western Conference. But in reality, they will have to be mentally tough not to let all the perks derail their season.
SUMMER MOVEMENTS
– Arrivals : Donte DiVincenzo (Kings), JaMychal Green (Nuggets), Patrick Baldwin Jr (Draft), Ryan Rollins (Draft)
– Departures : Otto Porter Jr. (Raptors), Gary Payton II (Blazers), Nemanja Bjelica (Fenerbahçe), Damion Lee (Suns), Juan Toscano-Anderson (Lakers)
PLAYER TO WATCH: Draymond Green
Between Klay Thompson’s first full season since returning from injury and the year of confirmation for Jordan Poole, we were spoiled for choice. We have however set our sights on Mister Draymond, Doctor Green!
Even before his altercation with Jordan Poole, he knew the Warriors were in no rush to offer him as lucrative a contract extension as he wanted. If he has a “player option” next season, everything indicates that he will decline it next summer to test the market. He therefore had to achieve a full season to put pressure on his leaders and make the other franchises salivate.
His blowout last week therefore strengthens Golden State’s position, but both sides know they need each other to stay on top. The Warriors aren’t the Warriors without Draymond Green, and a Draymond Green who doesn’t play with the holy fire isn’t worth much to Golden State.
Draymond Green therefore has every interest in being at his best. Remember he was the clear favorite for Defender of the Year last season before his back injury. Steve Kerr was also pleased with the form and energy of his leader to start the training camp. He was even skilled at 3-pointers in both games against the Wizards. An encouraging sign, even if it is to be taken with a grain of salt.
In summary, Draymond Green’s performance can decide not only Golden State’s season, but also the end of his career.
Average age: 28.4
Payroll: $189.1 million (2nd)
THE IDEAL SCENARIO
Draymond Green and Jordan Poole quickly manage to put their incident aside, allowing the entire Warriors collective to unite behind them to prove to the rest of the league that nothing can derail their quest for a fifth ring. Jordan Poole takes the jackpot just before the start of the regular season and continues the momentum of last season as the other “Baby Warriors” continue to progress to settle firmly in Steve Kerr’s rotation.
The chemistry between the five holders is at its peak. Well in his shoes, Andrew Wiggins confirms that he can be one of the best lieutenants in the NBA. Klay Thompson finds a more regular address and gains in mobility. Kevon Looney is equal to himself. Stephen Curry is once again among the favorites for the MVP race. And Draymond Green returns to his role as orchestrator of defense to help the Warriors stay in the league’s Top 3 on this side of the field.
Steve Kerr knows, however, that he needs his team to arrive in shape for the playoffs. The owners are therefore spared and Golden State ends up in the top 4 of the Western Conference. They enter the playoffs in good physical health, and the historic unbeaten trio Curry – Green – Thompson in the West since 2015 continues. They will seek a fifth ring of champion as the last chapter of this dynasty, before the “free agency” of Draymond Green, who is looking for another challenge.
WORST SCENARIO
Despite everyone’s good will, Draymond Green’s punch left its mark. The soul of the team is on restraint and it’s the entire Golden State collective that suffers. The defense is struggling to regain its playoff level, and the Warriors have less opportunity to dictate their pace to their opponent.
The physical and muscular glitches also do not spare Steve Kerr’s band. If no player is seriously injured, the Curry – Thompson – Green trio misses enough games for the Warriors to lose their beautiful collective game. In relay of the “Splash Brothers”, Jordan Poole wants to do too much and often forgets his teammates. And if Moses Moody is one of the satisfactions of the season, Jonathan Kumigna and James Wiseman are struggling to stay in the rotation.
In an ultra-competitive Western Conference, the Warriors have gone down a notch in the hierarchy. They certainly qualify all the same directly for the playoffs but fall in the first round.
The dynasty is over as the club faces financial choices, and Stephen Curry is putting the pressure on its executives before opening the door to one of the franchise’s most uncertain summers.
