5 biggest surprises at the halfway mark of the 2018-19 NBA season

DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 16: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings on December 16, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 16: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings on December 16, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
(Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /

4. Trouble in the Golden State paradise

Ever since their title run started way back in 2014-15, the Golden State Warriors have played their games with a childlike joy, unselfish in their ball movement and indifferent on who gets what accomplishment along the way.

It’s that togetherness that made the events of Nov. 13 all the more surprising. With seconds remaining in a tied ballgame with the Los Angeles Clippers, rather than hand the ball to the four-time scoring champion in Kevin Durant, Draymond Green took the ball up the floor looking to make a play, only to turn it over. Golden State would go on to lose in overtime.

Before the extra session, KD and Green could be visibly seen getting into a heated argument and would have to be separated. Reports would come out stating Draymond called out Durant on his impending free agency, even including a certain five-letter word not suitable for the common eye.

The Warriors are attempting to accomplish a feat not seen since the 60s by making five consecutive NBA Finals. That, coupled with Durant’s impending free agency, likely has most of the team on edge just a little bit.

Currently just a game out of first place out West, their struggles have been mostly relative given how high they’ve set the bar in past years, but an argument like that is hard to forget despite the two parties doing their best to move on.

Whatever happens over the next seven months with Golden State’s playoff run and KD’s decision come July 1, there really won’t be any way to tell whether or not this fight has any lasting repercussions, but that doesn’t take away from its shocking development as a possible crack in what was thought to be indestructible armor.