That 1-2 start the Golden State endured to open 2017-18 seems long ago, what with the Warriors in the throws of a seven-game win streak now. Golden State has won those games by an average of 19.8 points per game while also ranking first in the NBA in Offensive Rating(116.2), assist percentage (70.5), Effective Field Goal percentage (59.8) and NBA.com’s PIE rating (57.5).
In short, Golden State is seemingly doing what it has done for three seasons running now — field one of the best offenses the NBA has to offer.
All-Star forward Draymond Green, in a Q&A session with Sam Amick of USA Today, sees some flaws that need attention — particularly in terms of offensive execution and turnover issues.
Q: So you guys are rolling in a crazy way, and it was only a couple weeks ago when you talked about fatigue and caring about winning and now you look like the best team on the planet again. The Cavs have been scuffling. The Celtics are rolling. How do you see it?
A: “Uh, I think we’re still getting better. I don’t think we’re far and away the best squad on the planet. What I do see is that we have the potential to be that, but I see so many things that we need to improve on that it’s just funny that everyone thinks we’re rolling to me right now, because right now I don’t think we’re rolling. I think we’re playing OK.
Q: I mean, six wins by 17-plus points (before they beat Orlando by 10 on Monday)?
A: “And that’s cool, and that’s why I think we have potential to be the best team on the planet. But however, I see so many things that we can correct, and can be so much better at. For instance, turnovers. (Against Philadelphia) we scored 135 points and we had 22 turnovers (actually 23)… It’s too many. So all of a sudden, (if they had) 14 turnovers. Now the difference between that being 14 turnovers is now you take 10 points away from them. And with six more shots, say we make two of them. That’s five more points for us but that’s also 10 more points that we took away from them. Who knows what that could have done for us?
Green also offers up his thoughts about the state of the Warriors’ most recent NBA Finals foe, the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron James’ crew is off to a 7-7 start and have struggled to find consistency.
Q: What’s your two cents on the Cavs?
A: “Uh, they’re struggling.”
Q: Would you be panicking if you were one of their fans?
A: “To a certain extent yes. And to a certain extent, no. I don’t think anyone should be panicking 12 games in, or 13 games in. However, there are some glaring concerns with them. And at the same time, you’re missing a 30-point (per game) player (in Thomas) on the bench who’s hurt. So my concern would be that LeBron is playing so many minutes right now (James, in his 15th season, is leading the league in minutes at 38.1 per game; it’s his highest mark since the 2010-11 season).
“Yeah, he’s super human but eventually his super human powers go away, so that would be more of my concern if I’m a Cavs fan or somebody with the Cavs or a player, is like ‘Man, he’s been playing a lot of 40 minute (nights) and it’s only Nov. 12.’ But I wouldn’t be pressing the panic button just yet. At the end of the day, they know how to win. They’ve got a guy who knows how to win, so I wouldn’t necessarily press the panic button. I would see certain things and I would panic about those certain things, just because…I don’t think nobody should be playing 40 minutes a game in November (James has played 40-plus minutes in six of his 14 games).
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