Golden State Warriors' collapse against Celtics may prompt adjustments, according to Steve Kerr
Golden State Warriors Struggle for Identity Amid Injuries and Off-Form Play
The Golden State Warriors' 2022-2023 season has been a challenging one, with the team losing to the Boston Celtics in a tight 121-118 game. The Warriors, known for their small-ball lineups and past success, are currently 22-23 in the season, midway through, and have a poor record on the road with only 5 wins and 18 losses.
Last season, the Warriors overcame a 0-2 deficit in the first playoff round against the Sacramento Kings, ultimately winning the series in seven games. However, their playoff run ended in the Western Conference semifinals when they lost to the seventh-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in six games. The main factors contributing to their struggles during this period were the extensive injury problems, which limited the availability and consistency of their star players.
The Warriors' key strategy to improve performance this season was relying on their resilience to manage through significant injuries to critical players such as Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, Donte DiVincenzo, and Jonathan Kuminga. Despite these challenges, the Warriors aimed to remain competitive by integrating available players, emphasizing defense (they ranked first in defensive efficiency that season), and maintaining a balanced offense (ranking second in offensive efficiency) to secure a playoff spot as the sixth seed with a 44–38 record.
Steve Kerr, the Warriors' coach, has confidence in the team's core group, but Stephen Curry acknowledged that the team needs to improve on execution and consistency. Draymond Green also stated that the team needs a sense of urgency but is not playing that way. Steve Kerr made a change in the starting lineup against the Celtics, starting Jordan Poole instead of Kevon Looney.
Klay Thompson maintains the team's attitude that if they make it to the playoffs healthy, they can beat anyone. The Warriors have a core group that has won titles, and Steve Kerr believes they know how to get it done. However, their third quarters, which were typically strong during their dynastic run, seem off this season.
The Warriors' bench hasn't been as effective as it was last season, and their small-ball lineups, which they call "death lineups," seem less effective this season. The team lost in the play-in tournament two seasons ago, but they are determined to turn things around.
The Celtics, who finished the regular season with 6 losses after a nine-game winning streak, on their way to the NBA Finals, proved to be a tough opponent for the Warriors. The Warriors are aware of the challenge ahead, but they are optimistic about their chances if they can stay healthy and find their form.
The Golden State Warriors, despite their struggles amid injuries and off-form play, are striving to improve their performance in areas such as execution and consistency to bolster their playoff hopes. Meanwhile, they recognize the importance of maintaining a balance between offense and defense, even with key players out, to emulate their past success in sports and the NBA.
Healthy and in form, the Warriors, with their title-winning core, aim to demonstrate their dominance in basketball, particularly in the playoffs, as evidence by Klay Thompson's assertion that if they make it healthy, they can beat any team.
