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Win-loss record: 23-13 (2nd in West)
After winning championships in back-to-back seasons, the Golden State Warriors entered this season eyeing three-peat. In a move that turned the entire league upside down, they added DeMarcus Cousins in the offseason.
They started the season hot but in the absence of their guard Stephen Curry, they struggled to register wins in November. However, once the two-time MVP returned back to the squad, they started being their usual self and are currently at the second spot in Western Conference Standings.
Although they are winning games just like they have been for the past few years, there are certain things that caught the attention of the fans and analysts this season. Throughout the course of this article, we take a look at the three key takeaways from the Golden State Warriors' performance so far this season.
#3 Warriors have depth issues
In the offseason, the Golden State Warriors lost some key players that came off the bench and helped the team win the title last year. This season, barring Quinn Cook, a lot of their bench players cannot shoot from outside and they have some serious depth issues.
The Warriors need an experienced veteran who can shoot and they should definitely have their eyes on players like Jr Smith. The current second unit can dunk the ball and provide something on the defensive end but on the offensive end, they are just easily replaceable.
We saw how the lack of depth was exposed without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green and with teams like Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers performing beyond the expectations, the Warriors cannot sit idle without making a move.
#2 Jonas Jerebko's rise
After spending the 2017-18 seasons with the Utah Jazz, Jonas Jerebko signed a one-year, veteran deal with the Golden State Warriors in the offseason. With the Warriors, he is receiving extended playing minutes and is career-high numbers since his rookie year with Detroit Pistons.
Jerebko is an excellent three-point shooter and is spacing the floor nicely. Coming off the bench, he is averaging 7.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game on 47.8 % shooting, including 36.8 % from downtown.
It is safe to say he looks like a different player all together after joining the Warriors and has been nothing but a revelation for this team as they move forward in their pursuit of a three-peat. The Swedish player is also very dominant in the paint and is fighting hard for rebounds and to keep the possessions alive.
#1 Klay Thompson's struggles
Stats: 20.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists per game on 43.6 % shooting
After an incredible shooting season where he shot at career-high percentages from the floor, including three-point line, Klay Thompson is currently having one of his worst seasons shooting. The 4-time All-Star has not looked comfortable for the most part of the season thus far and his slump can impact the Warriors' chances of three-peating.
It is a known fact that Thompson can get really hot in no time and turn the tables but that has not happened this season. After the first seven games of the season where he failed to register a single 20-point performance and performed miserably from long range, he had a standout performance against the Chicago Bulls at United Center.
He went off for 52 points on 18-for-29 shooting, including an unconscious 14-or-24 from downtown and helped the Warriors beat the Bulls. With 14 made three-pointers, he broke Stephen Curry's then highest made three-pointers made record.
Thompson was then impressive for the most part of November and shot at 46.5 % from the field over the month, including 36.6 % from distance. However, this month, Thompson failed to make an impact and even though the Warriors are winning games and are second in the Conference, for the Warriors to three-peat, they need Thompson to regain his form before the playoffs.
