NBA: Western Conference Power Rankings – Golden State Warriors
Nearly half way through the regular season, the play of Stephen Curry, LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol and Dirk Nowitzki has elevated their respective teams a top the Western Conference power rankings.
If the playoffs were to begin today, the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets all would not have home-court advantage in the first round. These were the top seeds in the conference last season.
This year it has been all about the stellar play from the Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks.
The Warriors have elite perimeter play with Curry and Klay Thompson. The Trail Blazers have two closers in Aldridge and point guard Damian Lillard. The Grizzlies have arguably the best center in the game in Gasol paired with a bully at power forward in Zach Randolph. The Mavericks, on paper, seem to have no weaknesses now with the acquistion on Rajon Rondo.
We start by breaking down each of these team’s success so far. Today, we review the Golden State Warriors. Check back as the week progresses for updates on the Trail Blazers, Grizzlies and Mavericks.
*(Please note- the stats used are from games played through Jan. 6, 2015)
- GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Much credit has to be given to rookie coach Steve Kerr though he did inherit a team that won 51 games last year.
Curry’s commitment to the defensive side of the court and the fact that the Warriors rank first in total assists per game (26.4) is due to Kerr’s championship pedigree as a teammate of Michael Jordan and player under Phil Jackson.
Curry remains the game’s most lethal shooter from anywhere on the court, averaging 23.0 points with 7.8 assists, leading the team in scoring, assists and steals. Klay Thompson has grown into more than just a spot up shooter and looks like he’s worth nearly every dollar of his $70 million extension.
With David Lee playing in only eight games so far this season, minutes have opened up for versatile forward Draymond Green and big man Marreese Speights. Green, though he’s naturally a small forward, has started in Lee’s absence and is averaging close to a double-double with 12.1 points and 8.3 rebounds.
Speights is also averaging a career-high 12.6 points and has posted more than 20 points in five games this season. With role players like Green, Speights, Harrison Barnes and Andre Iguodala, the Warriors rank second in points per game and have the best record in the league.
Their success in the playoffs will come down to Andrew Bogut’s health and as they say, the best ability is availability. Bogut needs to be their defensive anchor and rim protector in order for the Warriors to make a serious run at making the NBA Finals.