Golden State Warriors: 5 goals for the 2021-22 regular season

No. 5: Maintaining a top-5 defense

The Warriors dynasty will best be remembered for their outrageous offensive output, featuring the greatest shooting backcourt of all time and likely the most talented scorer the game has ever known. But it would be a great injustice to basketball history to not mention their spectacular defense, something that was pivotal in jumpstarting fast-breaks and igniting 3-point attempts.

Led by six-time All-Defensive player Draymond Green, the Warriors have earned league defensive ratings that ranked 1st, 5th, 2nd, 11th, 13th and 5th again in 2020-21, excluding their bottom-5 finish during their injury-riddled 2019-20 season. The quickness, the toughness, the athleticism and the intelligence of the Warriors stars cannot be understated.

Even when the core entered their 30’s and the rotation saw some new faces, Golden State remained a stout defensive team. The style of working together in order to wreak havoc has accelerated the development of promising athletes. Nobody on the floor has looked fazed or intimidated, just hungry to get the ball back and run down to the other end.

The Warriors made many additions this year, specifically on the wing, in order to balance out their game plan. Whereas last year there was a plethora of scrappy young players vying for minutes, this year there are several older players aiming to create baskets.

For Golden State to remain a contender to come out of the loaded Western Conference, however, they should look to maintain their top-5 defensive rating.

Easier means of scoring and better offensive efficiency are meaningful goals for the Warriors this season, yet the bigger priority should be keeping their elite defense, which has been a staple for the team during this long period of success. Fortunately the wings the team signed have length and the prospects the team drafted are particularly athletic, giving Steve Kerr and his coaching staff good pieces to work with and Draymond teammates to help force turnovers.

The team is also in line to receive a major lift from the returning Klay Thompson, who’s built a reputation for being one of the league’s best perimeter defenders. While he may have lost some agility due to injuries, he still provides active hands and communication. And if second-year center James Wiseman can stay out of foul trouble, the Warriors will suddenly add a gifted shot-blocker to the mix.

Another top-5 defensive rating will make the Warriors a top candidate to advance to the NBA Finals. If they can actually sustain their elite defense, while becoming a more proficient offensive team, there’s no reason Kerr’s team can’t win it all.