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Golden State Warriors: 2016-17 First Quarter Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

November 28, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates with forward Kevin Durant (35) and guard Klay Thompson (11) during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Hawks 105-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 28, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates with forward Kevin Durant (35) and guard Klay Thompson (11) during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Hawks 105-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Golden State Warriors
November 28, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Hawks 105-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Kevin Durant

Gun to our head, we’d have to say the Warriors’ best player so far in 2016-17 has been Kevin Durant. Though his raw numbers don’t quite stack up to his unforgettable MVP season in 2013-14, KD has been more efficient than ever:

  • 2013-14:  38.5 MPG, 32.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.7 BPG .503/.391/.873 shooting, 29.8 PER, 60-22 record
  • 2016-17:  34.4 MPG, 26.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.7 BPG, .549/.407/.860 shooting, 29.3 PER, 20-3 record (on pace for 71 wins)

For those still wondering why Durant would forsake the Thunder and his buddy Russell Westbrook, a simple look at those spikes in efficiency, his increased catch-and-shoot opportunities and how effective he’s been in fewer minutes give a clearer indication why.

KD is taking six fewer shots per game — in four fewer minutes — than his MVP season, yet he’s only averaging six fewer points per game. His 54.9 percent shooting is a career high, and KD gets extra props for being one of the only Warriors players who actually played well through the first six games of the season.

Since then, the power has shifted back toward the Warriors’ former Big Three, but Golden State hasn’t really needed him to put up massive numbers with so much balance and offensive firepower. The fact that he got acclimated so quickly is downright frightening for the rest of the NBA.

The defensive end is where Durant has really made strides, continuing the stifling, versatile play we saw from him during OKC’s playoff run last year. Draymond is still the most versatile defender around, but KD’s ability to protect the rim with a team-high 1.7 blocks per game and play multiple positions makes the Dubs’ small-ball lineups that much more potent.

Posting a historic offensive rating of 115.1 points per 100 possessions is a clear indicator of how dangerous Durant makes the Warriors on one end, but it’s his defensive intensity that will make this team a two-way terror.

Grade: A+

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