Despite another devastating injury to Klay Thompson, the Warriors seem intent on regaining their status as an elite team.
Last year was essentially a throwaway season. An injured Kevin Durant bolted for the East Coast, Thompson was out for the season with a knee injury and Stephen Curry busted his thumb in the early weeks of the season.
The reward for an otherwise wasted campaign was the second pick in the draft. They used it on the highest-rated big man in James Wiseman, who practiced for the first time on Monday and made a swift impression.
“I thought James was all over the place today, which was great to see,” Draymond Green said.
Green and Wiseman will form the frontcourt duo, Curry will run the show and Andrew Wiggins and Kelly Oubre Jr. will man the wings. The Warriors also possess some good depth, particularly in the frontcourt with the likes of Eric Paschall, Marquese Chriss and Kevon Looney.
Oubre was acquired even though his salary added to an already enormous luxury tax bill. The Warriors certainly aren’t tanking this season, but in the loaded Western Conference, it’s fair to say they’re no longer going to overwhelm the opposition.
Still, Green wants the bar set high.
“When I don’t win a title, that’s unsuccessful,” Green said. “There’s no moral victories.”
That brings us to our question of the day: Will the revamped Warriors return to the playoffs this season?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
According to reporter Kelly Oubre is top defender
Green is DPOY
Wiseman is David Robinson
Wiggins defensive potential
Olay best two way player
Edit: Klay Is the best two way player
I agree if he is healthy. His injuries have been huge blows…injuries plural…
Thompson can do makeup commercials when he retires: Oil of Klay.
Try again
Warriors are done, and their fanbase will shrink back into the cave from whence they came.
They weren’t even contenders with Thompson…get over it
@Chief Two Hands
Why you hating so hard on a team that finished in last place last year? This is what is called “rent-free” baby! Haha
Go put those hands to work and stop typing stupid things. This team is very much a contender.
Hush now, fairweather Warriors “fan.”
chief no hands is still angry that his Rockets never won so he jump bandwagon now to the Lakers.
A contender to participate in the play-in tournament?
I’m not sure they’re actually a contender (without Thompson) BUT I have to disagree with ‘Chief Two Hands’ too… I think they’re going to be a playoff team and with Thompson — I think they could have actually surprised a lot of people — they have some serious depth — but obviously without Thompson that depth winds up being needed just to fill the lineup so it’s really not the same thing.
I don’t know what cave you are referring to but the dubs fan base has been loyal long before the championship years. ROARACLE was given its name long before Stephen Curry or even Baron Davis wore the uniform. As a life long fan I am aware they have a lot to prove but it doesn’t hurt to be optimistic in the pre season
Time will tell…NorCal fans disappear…search Tim Hudson’s asks Barry Zito if giants Fans supported them or kings fans chant MVP for Kobe. It’s hilarious how Northern California fans ignore reality.
Oh my gawd. You are a fraud. The Warriors and Kings are 2 different teams. Sacramento is not San Francisco. Do you really believe Barry Zito was worth the contract he signed? Tim Hudson also played his final 2 seasons for the Giants. What is your issue.
The only roar was the ripping yell of a fat butt on tight jeans letting loose a stream of hot, smelly air. I’m telling you, for whatever reason the Warriors home games are just filled with farts! Yuck!
As someone who grew up on warriors basketball I’ve seen this team get plenty of support from NorCal, even before the bandwagon fans. This team will remain relevant in the west as long as Currys health holds up this season
@Chief Rude and wrong. What’s your problem? You just trolling or did someone from Bay Area kick sand in your face at the playground? If you don’t like the Warriors you are free to take your insight elsewhere. This comment contributes nothing and does little damage because these fair weather fans you speak of are not reading your post. Do you get pleasure from attempting to insult the actual devoted fan base?
Oh my gawd. Chief two hands still can’t get over the boo hoo he felt 40 years ago. Maybe you should crawl back into your cave. At some point, you need to get over it. You need to move on.
Don’t worry about it Howie… You’ll notice that inconsequential teams get zero attention. Chief two hands doesn’t say much about teams going nowhere or are zero threat. There’s something about the Warriors that is compelling enough to bark at.
Howie, Gary and others. Please Please PLEASE stop responding to ChiefTweezers.
Please!
The fan base was one of the best before they started winning. Know your facts.
The abject fear Warriors haters have when there’s even mention of them having a chance to succeed is always good for a laugh. You must be so miserable when they hit a three, take a lead, win a game. And my lord, if they look good to start the year you’ll probably be googling tall buildings. Sad way to follow basketball, but hey, you do you.
According to Las Vegas betting line
Championship odds
Without Kay Thompson
Warriors and Heat tie at 6th
Without Thompson Warriors = Heat
Las Vegas says it all. No reason to play the season. Shut the league down Vegas has decided.
We used to go see the Yankees when youd get 2 beers and 2 hot dogs for 5 bucks. I mean the place would be absolutely cooking with toots. And even then, granted it was open air, itll never come close to the warriors clippers game I went to. I’m still put off and it makes me dislike the team.
George Steinbrenner started the trend of raising prices to match the amount of money he was paying players. Given your age, you probably have little control over your bowels.
Watching the warriors win 4 championships while the Clippers still have none would make any Clipper fan bitter and angry.
? I’m not a clippers fan I happened to be in the area on business. And I’ll just say it smelled like someone was doing there business for about 40 minutes straight (I mean number 2s). What the heck do they feed yall up there…totally sick
I think they finish somewhere between 5th and 8th in the west and maybe win the first round depending on the match up.
C-daddy@, considering all the new pieces you’re probably right. But I think come playoff time they will make some noise beyond the first round. They are built to win and their roster once it does become fluid and the rotations are set, is championship-caliber.
The Warriors have everything necessary to win as long as health is good. Yes that’s a big if for guys over 30 but my fingers are crossed LOL.
Think the Warriors will be a playoff team for sure.
In Curry Wiggins and Green you have three really good passers of the ball, Curry will be able to play off ball a lot which is when he’s at his best.
Oubre and Wiggins are both good scorers of the ball and will give you 20 each.
Then defensively Green is great at leading the team with his talking/communication and positioning. Wiseman gives them a really athletic shot blocker and both Oubre and Wiggins are decent defenders on the perimeter.
Their depth is improving with Paschall, Looney, Chriss, Bazemore and then you have some nice young guys like Mannion, Wanamaker, Smailagic and so on.
I think they could definitely do with another back up point guard but other than that I think they will be set for around 5th seed
Lakers first, then Clippers Nuggets Mavs and Jazz, then you have the GSW, Pelicans, Suns, TWolves, Rockets and etc but I’d say that GSW is almost in that second tier
I believe the Warriors are absolutely in that second tier. The Jazz and Blazers? The Blazers are pretty good in the regular season and maybe now that they have some Wing depth they’ll be set up for great things in the playoffs.
The Mavs? They’re a one-man show and they got rid of some shooting for an all-around guy in Josh Howard. They are fun to watch and hopefully do well but I absolutely think Warriors are in that second tier. The Jazz are a one-man show as well. If Mitchell or Luka go down there goes any hope. I don’t think they will.. they’re strong and young and great players so this should be a fun season 2 watch. Really looking forward to it.
Forgot to add blazers sorry,
Nah Mavs are huge under dogs.
Doncic is a top 5 player and MVP candidate and they have Porzingis who was coming back from injury but he’s a huge force too.
They also have Josh Richardson, Tim Hardaway Jr, Finney-Smith, Kleber and so on. I like their depth lots of shooters and versatility. They will be tough because Porzingis is just so hard to match up with and then you have shooters outside Doncic, the clippers really struggled with KP, I think a few teams will.
The Jazz aren’t quite the 1-2 hit like the Mavs but they have better depth with Conley, Bogi, Clarkson, Favours, Ingles, etc.
To say they are gone without Luka or Spida is fair but that’s really the case with all playoff teams. If you lose your best player no team is going anywhere.
Warriors
Good depth at back court
Bazemore and Wanamaker are 30 years old and mature.
Wiseman is luckier than Edwards.
Draymond Green teaches him defense next 4 years.
MVP Curry to teach him too.
Klay …….
I think the warriors are definitely a playoff team. However, for them to be true contenders I think 3 things need to happen..
1 Curry needs to regain his MVP form and I’m talkin roughly 28+ ppg and 7 asg type.
2 Oubre needs to step up big time. I haven’t watched him play a ton but I keep hearing he’s a good defender. He needs to step up to great/elite on d, he’s got excellent length. Also needs to be pretty good on offense — 17+ ppg.
3 The bench. I think the most underrated part of the pre Durant warriors was their depth. Guys like Livingston and barbosa were great with the second unit.
Paschal & Poole need to continue to improve, bazemore needs to regain old form. I think mannion could be good too along with Chriss & looney so on..
I expect Draymond and wiseman to be elite frontcourt defenders. Plus wigs ok wing d, think those 3 combine for roughly 40 ppg.
Not saying their favorites but it would be foolish to completely count them out.
While I agree that GSW should be a PO team, for me their options to make some noise depend more on Wiggins and especially Wiseman. One more or less knows what to expect from (a healthy) Curry, Green, Oubre or Bazemore. But Wiggins and especially Wiseman (who looked terrific during workouts) are huge wildcards. If any of those two manages to put up a good show, the Warriors should be dangerous.
Otogar@, You’re absolutely right and hopefully the atmosphere in San Francisco brings out the best in Andrew Wiggins. He has the potential, it’s just putting it together. I think Kelly oubre will get it done, and so will James Wiseman. They look hungry and willing to learn. Wanamaker is a professional and so is Bazemore. Paschal is great bench depth and I think Poole will be improved this year. He looks good so far. Young, great shooting form and a willing passer. Pretty athletic too. Fingers crossed for him.
Remember the Warriors still hold Klay Thompson’s $9.3 million injury exception. Recent articles on this site say they will hold it and use it mid season when they expect to pick up another veteran for the playoff push. So, this roster will continue to evolve.
COVID = anything is possible, nothing pre ordained except volatility. Warriors have as good a shot as anyone with an 8 player rotation that stays healthy.
If they had Klay, I’d peg them for WCF. Without Klay… 50/50 1st round exit. Depends on who they run into and how effective they shutdown Curry. Offensively, no one else scares you enough to say “gotta shut them down”.
Phillyballers@, You have two new guys on the wing that are 20 point guys. They’re not Durant and Klay Thompson but hopefully they’re good enough. Physically they are almost there ..it’s just putting it together and I think the influence of green and Curry and Steve Kerr will maximize the potential of Andrew Wiggins and Kelly oubre. Let’s not forget that James Weissman adds quite a bit. Warriors are looking good.
One more great thing is that they are suddenly a young team. Old man Warriors of the Last 5 Years has been turned over and rejuvenated. Great job by Bob Myers and tremendous commitment by the owner.
It’s really too bad Thompson got hurt again… I thought the Warriors would be a fun team to watch with Curry and Thompson coming back and to see how Wiggins was going to fit in with them, not to mention Wiseman. They might still be a borderline playoff team (or better given how good Curry is) but it’s definitely not the same team without Thompson.
Jeff, he’s one guy. It happens. Warriors are plugging in three new guys essentially to take the place of Durant and Klay Thompson. Give them half a season, 3/4 of season to somewhat figure it out and let’s see what happens in the playoffs. When Curry gets triple-teamed that’s when Wiggins and Kelly oubre have to step up. Green can facilitate as well and find the open guy.
I think Bazemore is better than Livingston especially on defense but the one guy they’re missing come playoff time is Andre Iguodala. Defense Plus intangibles. Can the combo of Bazemore and Brad Wanamaker make that up? I think in a cumulative sentence EVERYONE will step up and make that happen. But yeah Andre Iguodala is a big missing piece from the team of the last 5 years. He was huge in my mind.
Curry-Draymond-Wiggins-Oubre Jr.-Wiseman-Looney-Wanamaker-Bazemore-Chriss-Paschall
This is is order of likely avg min played, but how is that not a top 4 10-man rotation in the West? Wanamker flew under a lot of radars and people are saying Wiseman is like David Robinson, but better. I put $100 on a chip.
They will definitely make the playoffs. Curry alone is still a potential hall of famer. That’s plenty of firepower for the 7th/8th seed or something.
Will they win in the playoffs? Most definitely not.
Potential?
I think even right now his resume is guaranteed Hall of Fame.
Every 3 point record. Three rings. Five finals appearances. That’s enough of a resume to get in. I mean he’s got a reputation of being perhaps the greatest shooter in NBA history. He’s certainly in the Hall of Fame with that excellent group of players.
There’s also the small matter of two League MVP awards. I don’t know if that counts.. I’m not sure.
I agree. He definitely has my vote, I just wanted to play it safe.
Reflect@, I respect your opinion.. you always have excellent takes and always post with logic and reasonableness. I almost always give you “thumbs up.” But I’m going to disagree with you on playoff noise.
The Warriors have what it takes to get beyond the first round. The issue they will have to figure out is when Curry is triple teamed at half court will the other guys Step Up? Fingers crossed they will. Wiseman, Kelly oubre, and Andrew Wiggins have got to step up to their potential. And they have to do it now LOL.
I want to believe, as I have always enjoyed watching the Warriors not named Kevin Durant.
The West is so stacked though. A bet on the Warriors is a bet on Clippers, Lakers, and Mavs all really underperforming in the same year. And that’s just to make it out of the West.
No, I think the Clips, Lakers, and Mavs will be solid teams. Doesn’t mean the Warriors won’t be successful. Even if they are a strong team for the first half but don’t have the chemistry they should, they, I believe, will be a tight-knit team in the second half, carrying into the Playoffs, and will compete with anyone, even the Lakers
I mentioned this above the Warriors still hold Klay Thompson’s $9.3 million injury exception. Articles on the site say they’ll hold it for a midseason veteran acquisition. One article had them earlier talking to San Antonio for Aldridge. But they said they would wait and see if the price came down if the Spurs fall out of contention. So this roster still going to change.
When is Steph coming to Milwaukee? :)
Never. He’s already tryin to sign an extension to end his career(obviously not in the next few years) in Golden State. #Warrior4Life
Warriors will be back this yr. It could take half the year to develop chemistry. They’re a playoff team. And if Wiseman can give them good kings. They can surprise in playoffs. Still think they need another center. They should sign Dedmond. West playoffs will be tough this yr. Very competitive
That’s good mins. Geez
Warriors will be a strong contender. Curry, Draymond, Oubre, and Wiggins make a great competitor of a team. Then you factor in Wiseman and their, what I think is(a), strong bench and they are suddenly a very strong contending team. I really like their odds.
GSW will improve over last year, so, at least 14th. At any rate, no point in getting ambitious.
I hven’t seen this anywhere, but he’s all the players available via the injury exemption the Warriors could acquire – yes, some of these won’t make it past the other team, but they’re all there
GSW $9.3M IPE Targets:
Lou Williams $8.0
P.J. Tucker $7.9
Derrick Rose $7.7
Doug McDermott $7.3
Nemanja Bjelica $7.1
Daniel Theis $5.0
Nerlens Noel $5.0
JaVale McGee $4.2
Jarrett Allen $3.9
Tony Bradley $3.5
TJ McConnell $3.5
Josh Hart $3.5
Derrick White $3.5
Hassan Whiteside $2.3
Ben McLemore $2.3
Langston Galloway $2.0
Monte Morris $1.7
Devonte’ Graham $1.7
Duncan Robinson $1.7
Team option would be declined early, could play for GSW for 1 year only:
Ja Morant $9.1
Jaxson Hayes $5.1
Brandon Clarke $2.6
Mitchell Robinson $1.7
Feel free to repost this info @hoopsrumors!