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Pacific Division: 5 Burning Questions for the 2016-17 Season

By Josh Cornelissen

November 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the basketball against Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 112-108. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the basketball against Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 112-108. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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September 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and guard Stephen Curry (30) laugh during media day at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
September 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and guard Stephen Curry (30) laugh during media day at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Golden State Warriors: Who Will Take a Backseat?

The Golden State Warriors put into place a major upgrade this offseason in swapping out Harrison Barnes for Kevin Durant. Durant is a top-3 player in the league and excellent at both ends of the court. Unsurprisingly, the Warriors are going to have an even higher ceiling this season.

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Nothing in the NBA is free, however, and the addition of Durant introduces a problem to the Golden State offense even as it brings so many solutions. Last season Harrison Barnes had a 15.9 percent usage rate, which tracks how many possessions he personally finished with a shot, free throws, or a turnover. Kevin Durant finished with a 30.6 percent usage rate, which would bring Golden State’s expected starting lineup to a combined 122 percent usage rate. Someone is going to have to give up somewhere.

The simplest explanation is that everyone is going to give up a little slice of the pie. If each of the starters give up two shots, then things would theoretically balance out. Another approach is to increase the pace and add another couple of possessions to the game. Staggering the minutes of the high-usage starters could spread out their possessions among bench-heavy units.

All of these things will probably happen in some small way, but ultimately someone is going to sacrifice more than the others. Many hypothesized it would be Klay Thompson, but that hasn’t been the case thus far in the preseason. The quickest shot in the West is getting wide open looks as teams go crazy trying to stop two MVPs and launching nearly every time he gets the ball, to great effect.

In the preseason thus far Steph Curry has taken less shots, deferring to Durant and letting his new teammate shine. While Curry will likely not hit the same totals he cleared during last season’s record-breaking campaign, once the regular season starts he will step back into his role as this team’s top option. Durant is a phenomenal offensive player, but Steph Curry is better.

That leaves Draymond Green to receive the short straw, although it will hardly be a demotion. Green will give up shots to Durant, and will at times cede his role as Curry’s pick-and-roll partner as Steve Kerr unleashes the most unstoppable combo in league history with Durant screening for Curry. While his efficiency should go up, Green’s involvement in the offense will go down.

Durant will also take on Green’s fast-break impact, as the lanky forward is comfortable snaring a rebound and racing out in transition. With Green running the opposite side of the court and the two best shooters in the game racing to the arc, this will be Golden State’s deadliest weapon.

Green will still be an unstoppable force on defense, and it’s possible his assist and rebound numbers stay around the same levels. But his career high 14 points per game last year will probably sink back down as the Warriors find a balance with their new superstar team.