NBA 18/19: 3 best performing Warriors players of the season so far

The Golden State Warriors came into the 18/19 season as the heavy favorites to win a third straight NBA Championship. The team has been the league's dominant force for the best part of five years, and the Warriors were able to get even better during the offseason. The team pulled off a stunning move for All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins, and this means that the Warriors now have an entire starting five of All-Stars.

Despite the high expectations entering the season, a number of injuries have resulted in an 18-9 start, which is poor when compared to the Warriors recent records. Incredibly, the team still tops the Western Conference standings, and with the NBA season now well under way, here are the best-performing Warriors of the season so far.

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#3 Damian Jones

Damian Jones has been a regular starter in the absence of Green and Cousins

Damian Jones has not set the league on fire this season, although he has offered a steady contribution in the absence of DeMarcus Cousins and Draymond Green. The 23-year-old had never started an NBA league game coming into the 18/19 season, although Steve Kerr has opted to start the center 23 times so far this season.

Jones has tripled his play time from last season, and in his 17.1 minutes per game, the center is averaging 5.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks. His field goal percentage of .716 has been especially impressive, although the big man still shows no signs of developing a perimeter shot.

The Warriors have had to contend for low draft picks in recent years, and Jones himself was the 30th pick in the 2016 draft. Due to the contracts of Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson, the Warriors simply can't afford a deep roster, so the role that Jones has played this season shouldn't be underestimated.

#2 Kevon Looney

Looney has impressed from the bench this season for the Golden State Warriors

Not much was expected from Kevin Looney when he was picked 30th in the NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors in 2015. Despite being highly rated in college, Looney's draft stock had drastically dropped due to concerns with his hip, and many believed that Looney would struggle to develop on the Warriors roster.

Looney featured just five times in his debut season, although he played a more prominent role from the bench in the Warriors back to back title wins. The 18/19 season is, however, proving to be the 22-year-old's breakthrough season, and he is currently averaging a career high 19.9 minutes per game.

The big man continues to be limited on the offensive end, although his defensive capabilities have been highlighted in the absence of Draymond Green. Looney is averaging over 5 rebounds per game in addition to nearly one block PPG, and it looks as though the youngster will continue to play an important squad role, despite the impending return of Cousins.

#1 Steph Curry

Steph Curry has once again proved that he is the most important player on the Golden State Warriors team

Steph Curry has only played in 16 games so far this season, although he is firmly in the MVP conversation. Curry missed most of November through injury and his absence served as a reminder to how much the Warriors rely on his talents. The team suffered their first ever four-game losing streak under Steve Kerr while the 30-year-old was out, and the Warriors lacked Curry's leadership and offensive ability.

Since Curry has returned from injury, Golden State has quickly returned to the top of the Western Conference standings, and Curry has fuelled this run by playing some of the best basketball of his career to date. The two time MVP is currently shooting a phenomenal .500 from three-point range, and he is also averaging nearly 30 points-per-game. With Curry playing at this level, the Warriors look as though they will once again prove impossible to beat this seaso.

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