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The Golden State Warriors entered the 18/19 NBA season as the heavy favourites. The team has won three of the last four Championships, and Steve Kerr's men once again retained their core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Kevin Durant.
In addition to this, the team pulled off a stunning move to sign a fifth All-Star in DeMarcus Cousins. The 28-year-old last season averaged 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists, and despite being out for nearly a year, Cousins should soon return from his ruptured left Achilles tendon injury.
The All-Star center has not been the only notable absence, as both Steph Curry and Draymond Green have missed a number of games in the early stages of the season.
Nevertheless, the Warriors are still top of the Western Conference standings with a 23-12 record, and the team looks set to top the standings heading into 2019. So with the Warriors once again heading the West, here are three talking points from their season so far.
#3 Steph Curry is Still the Main Man
While Kevin Durant is the best player on the Warriors team, there is no doubting that Steph Curry is the most important to the team's success. The Warrior's struggled badly without Curry in November, and since the arrival of Kevin Durant in 2018, the team has a 21-18 record without Curry in the starting lineup.
The 2-time MVP is still the focal point of the Warrior's offence, and Curry's presence gives the whole team a lift. Curry is also shooting a career-high .458 from behind the arc, and the 30-year-old could be firmly in the MVP conversation by the end of the regular season.
#2 Draymond Green Could Be Expandable
While Steph Curry is widely regarded as the most important player on the Golden State side, there is no denying that Green is the heart and soul. His passion both on and off the court has been crucial to the Warriors success, and the 28-year-old has proved many of his doubters wrong. Green's defensive performances have also resulted in the player taking home the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year award.
Despite this, Green's future in California is currently in doubt, due to his confrontation with Kevin Durant and his 2020 free-agency. In addition to this, Green has struggled on the court this season and is averaging just 7.1 points per game. The Warriors power forward could be playing for his future in the next 5 months, and it will be interesting to see how he operates in the same lineup as DeMarcus Cousins.
#1 Kevin Durant's Future
Speculation regarding Kevin Durant's future was always going to be in the background of the Warrior's season, although few expected it to blow up as it did between Draymond Green and Durant during the Warriors overtime loss to the Clippers back in November.
The exchange between the teammates resulted in Durant appearing to word 'That's why I'm out', although the Warriors organization acted quickly by suspending Draymond Green.
The 2014 MVP continues to perform well on the court, however, it would be beneficial to both parties if Durant declared his intentions for the 2019 free-agency. The 30-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the New York Knicks, and NBA insiders say his chances of penning an extension in California are low.
Ultimately, Durant's future will continue to be the focus of much debate, and will hang over the Warriors for the rest of the season.
