'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABeAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQgQAAIBBAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDAgAEBREhMRIikgEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIRAAICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAAMRITH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AMYtt8RYNhbNUSH2zWDxWJeyxLQJJHHHdR5sxAnISWzezvS49/VKVVLsWsGeERYDU//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors' struggles have carried onto the second half of the season. Through 43 games, the Warriors have dropped to 21-22 following their 132-118 blowout loss against Chicago Bulls on Sunday.
Despite their persistent struggles, Green believes the Warriors will "absolutely" get to where they want to be. Here's what he said (via NBC Sports):
"I think the point where we'll turn the corner will come, but you've got to build towards it. You can't take two steps forward, three steps back. It's got to be a constant build…that constant build has not started."
The Warriors' season has been up and down all year. They have put together encouraging winning streaks, but the losses have come in at the same rate. Their inability to sustain their solid play has hurt them. The Warriors lack the depth they've had over the past few years.
However, they aren't playing with the same intensity, either. As Draymond Green mentioned, the Dubs need a "constant build" to get to where they want to be. So far, the defending champions haven't been as clinical on both ends consistently, which is a must if they are to their potential.
Draymond Green and Golden State Warriors face legitimate prospects of not making the finals
The Golden State Warriors entered the year as the favorites to make it out of the Western Conference again. They proved their critics wrong last season with their championship run, defying the odds emphatically. However, the Warriors had the tools to be the team they were last season.
Outside of their six or seven main rotation players, the Warriors don't have enough in the tank to match the level from last year or any of their finals runs since 2015. They lack veteran experience off the bench. Meanwhile, the core of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green are on the wrong side of their 30s.
The young players still have a lot to learn, and it may be too late into the season when they are ready to go. By then, the Golden State Warriors superstars won't be in peak condition in the playoffs. The Warriors also face the possibility of finishing out of the homecourt seedings.
Considering the disparity in their home and away records, that doesn't bode well for the team. Golden State is 17-5 at home and 4-17 on the road, the worst away record across the league. They are 17th on offensive and 19th on defensive ratings.
Historically, teams outside the bottom 10 of the offensive and defensive ratings haven't done well in the playoffs. The Golden State Warriors can only bank so much on their playoff experience at this point, and without enough depth, they might find it difficult to defy the odds again and defend their title.
Guess the Lakers players!
