What is the result of the preseason of the Warriors?

First of all, it's important to remember that you can not and should not compare these Warriors to the previous five editions. These five preseason games, including four against the Lakers, are the only sample we have to give us a first idea of ​​this team. And, for the moment, two aspects are obvious. Stephen Curry and their defense are scary … but for diametrically opposite reasons.

In four games, Stephen Curry finished the preseason with averages of 24.5 minutes of play and 26.8 points at 51% shooting success, 43% at 3-points and 96% at free throws. Without forcing his talent, the double MVP has already reminded all NBA fans that he was ready to take up the challenge of bringing this team on his back.

"In our first game, Steph looked better than anyone and that was two weeks ago" Steve Kerr had fun after the win against the Lakers. "Mentally, he is ready. Physically, he feels good. I think he's ready for a big season. "

A spicy curry

In its wake, according to Cleaning the Glass, the Warriors attack recorded the eighth best evaluation of the preseason with 106.4 points for 100 possessions. Despite a drastically different workforce, Steve Kerr players continue to offer a collective game where movement and altruism are king, while adding a pinch of pick & roll to showcase the qualities of D'Angelo Russell.

The old Net had a saw-tooth preseason but seemed more comfortable in the last match against a very weakened opponent, we must admit. However, we begin to glimpse the drafts of a game with three between him, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. "Whatever the situation, he always manages to score 20 points or more. He's a great smuggler so giving him freedom on pick & roll at the top of the racket and letting him read the defense is a good way for him to find his rhythm " Steve Kerr explains about his new player.

The three players have also shown their advantage in transition. The Warriors will systematically seek to increase the pace and push the ball to put the opposing defenses on their heels and find shots far open for their stars but also for Glenn Robinson III, Jordan Poole and Eric Paschall.

A defense under construction

To play fast, Golden State will however have to defend. And in five preseason games, the defense has not been at the rendezvous. Their lack of familiarity, experience but also talent, especially as winger, are the main reasons for their 28th place in the defensive rating.

On many occasions, the young Warriors found themselves out of position, causing the frustration of Draymond Green, who will see his patience put to the test, but also Stephen Curry. It was predictable. If Marquese Chriss showed a good potential in attack, he has since the beginning of his career lacked rigor on the other side of the field. Ditto for D'Angelo Russell, while rookies must learn and adapt to NBA rotations on the job. "We have to fight a lot more and we just have to be better" described Steve Kerr before the game against the Lakers. "We really have not been good defensively so far. In the last game, we were stepped on. We can not afford it.

The defensive problems of Golden State are however to put into perspective. The return of Kevon Looney, in particular, should help stabilize their defensive stance alongside Draymond Green. Aware of the current level of his team, Steve Kerr seems ready to change his mind about the association Green – Curry.

The coach can not afford to rest his two captains at the same time. Draymond Green should accompany D'Angelo Russell early in the second and fourth quarter instead of finishing first and third with Curry, to limit the breakage.

Little room for maneuver

Even before the beginning of the training camp, we knew that the Warriors would not really have the right to make the mistake to get the playoffs. The wounds of Willie Cauley-Stein, Alec Burks and Kevon Looney, however, slowed their preparation and progression considerably. "Preseason is important for us this year to get to know each other and understand what we want to put in place" conceded Stephen Curry. "We have five days of training to get ready for the first game. We must continue to work on the defensive and we will see how our rotation will evolve with the return of the wounded. "

Steve Kerr will have to integrate three of his eight main players after the start of the regular season, during which the training is, by necessity, reduced to maintenance.

Golden State does not have the luxury to miss the start of the season. If 14 of their first 24 games take place outside, 16 of them will face two teams supposedly weaker or who should fight with them to hang the playoffs (in bold below). Judge for yourself.

• Clippers
• in Oklahoma City
• in New Orleans (back to back)
• Phoenix
• San Antonio
• Charlotte (back to back)
• Portland
• in Houston
• in Minnesota
• in Oklahoma City (back to back)
• Utah
• to the Lakers
• Boston
• in New Orleans
• in Memphis
• in Dallas (back to back)
• in Utah
• Oklahoma City
• Chicago
• at Miami
• in Orlando
• in Atlanta (back to back)
• in Charlotte
• in Chicago

Deprived of Cauley-Stein for the first 8 to 10 games of the season, Golden State is however to an injury a disaster scenario. No more regular seasons without stakes, the Warriors will answer present for 82 games and it starts Thursday against the Clippers.

Interviewed in San Francisco.