At the All-Star game break, the Golden State Warriors have a winning record--barely. They have won one game more than they've lost. Considering they were five games underwater not so long ago, that ranks as hopeful.
But they've still got problems. A major one resurfaced in their last two games: blowing fourth quarter leads. They were up 14 points over the Clippers as the fourth started, and lost by 5. They blew another double digit lead at Utah the next night, and came very close to losing that one.
Figure in fatigue approaching the break, as well as a back-to-back, but still, it's worrisome. On the bright side, they had a great road trip, becoming only the second Dubs team in history to win 3 road games in a row by 20 points or more. Their schedule also gets easier in the second half of the season. So they are well positioned to get into the playoffs, and nobody will want to face them in a 7 game series. That's partly because the problems caused by a crowded roster is becoming a strength: their depth. Their bench is still at times outplaying their starters, even as the starting lineup has changed. It changed again in Utah, for awhile at least, as Klay Thompson didn't start. He did however come off the bench for significant minutes, and a game high 35 points.
Realistically, the Dubs can hope to play their way past play-in slots to the playoffs, but it's a difficult climb beyond fourth or fifth place. Three teams--Denver, Minnesota and the Clippers--have been alternating at the top spot so far this season. The Warriors will have their work cut out for them to just move up past the Lakers. Who happen to be their first opponent when the regular season resumes.
In my previous post I failed to give Draymond Green his credit due for the Dubs resurgence. He's become the key to the starting group, that is, the lineup that most often plays with Steph. He's working well with the new starters, J.K. and now Podz. Klay enjoyed being featured with the second unit, an unforeseen development. The return of Chris Paul adds another element, when it happens.
It's always a worry when momentum is stopped by the break, which has happened to the Dubs before. This year they really can't afford it. It may just be one game, that first game back, but beating the Lakers at home could mean a lot. That road trip meant the boos at Chase Center are history. This could be the start of something big.
