The Warriors are where the Giants were in 2016. Maybe one last hurrah - and by that I mean a 5-8 seed playoff team. Then it’s going to be bleak for a few years. Curry is a unicorn. His ability to score with and without the ball is unique. And his level of energy at 36 is tremendous. That’s one thing Paul will bring. More use of Curry’s off ball skills.
But even Curry is not immune to time. It’s a matter of when. And the drop off could be quick. Klay is still a good player. But no longer a great player. It is a testament to him that he came back from an Achilles and ACL as well as he did. But it’s hurt him significantly on defensive end. He was an elite perimeter defender. He no longer is.
Dray is Dray. But when the Warriors were at their peak, he could get you 10 or 12 a game.
They have no real rim protector. As good as Looney is on the boards, he’s not a Bogut or even a ZaZa when it comes to protecting the rim. It wasn’t just the shot blocking. You came down the lane on Bogut (especially) and he was going to let you know he’s there. Then you could pick yourself off the floor. That physical presence is lacking. You saw that in the Laker series. Highly doubtful they get it from anyone currently on the roster.
The Poole, trade, imo, was first a salary dump and second a locker room move. No way they make that move without Curry’s input. For whatever reason, I suspect Poole lost the respect of the teammates that mattered - Curry, Dray, Klay and Looney. Why, who knows. But that was obvious to me when Draymond wasn’t suspended. And I suspect it got worse as the year progressed.
Kuminga? Well, let’s hope he’s paying attention. This team is going to ride the players that brought them 4 Championships. Accept your role. Quit pouting. Defend, rebound, provide a threat attacking the rim. But understand you are going to be, at best, the third option offensively. Poole was a much better scorer. And he didn’t fully get that when Curry is on the floor, it is his show. Chucking up 28 footers at crunch time without Curry touching the ball? No. Curry has earned that right. Poole hadn’t.
All good things end. The Warriors had a tremendous run. But I think it’s done. As a great philosopher once said : “Time waits for no one. And it won’t wait for me.”
But even Curry is not immune to time. It’s a matter of when. And the drop off could be quick. Klay is still a good player. But no longer a great player. It is a testament to him that he came back from an Achilles and ACL as well as he did. But it’s hurt him significantly on defensive end. He was an elite perimeter defender. He no longer is.
Dray is Dray. But when the Warriors were at their peak, he could get you 10 or 12 a game.
They have no real rim protector. As good as Looney is on the boards, he’s not a Bogut or even a ZaZa when it comes to protecting the rim. It wasn’t just the shot blocking. You came down the lane on Bogut (especially) and he was going to let you know he’s there. Then you could pick yourself off the floor. That physical presence is lacking. You saw that in the Laker series. Highly doubtful they get it from anyone currently on the roster.
The Poole, trade, imo, was first a salary dump and second a locker room move. No way they make that move without Curry’s input. For whatever reason, I suspect Poole lost the respect of the teammates that mattered - Curry, Dray, Klay and Looney. Why, who knows. But that was obvious to me when Draymond wasn’t suspended. And I suspect it got worse as the year progressed.
Kuminga? Well, let’s hope he’s paying attention. This team is going to ride the players that brought them 4 Championships. Accept your role. Quit pouting. Defend, rebound, provide a threat attacking the rim. But understand you are going to be, at best, the third option offensively. Poole was a much better scorer. And he didn’t fully get that when Curry is on the floor, it is his show. Chucking up 28 footers at crunch time without Curry touching the ball? No. Curry has earned that right. Poole hadn’t.
All good things end. The Warriors had a tremendous run. But I think it’s done. As a great philosopher once said : “Time waits for no one. And it won’t wait for me.”