Everyone is well aware of the Draymond Green/Jordan Poole fiasco before the season began. It’s time for the Golden State Warriors to look in the mirror and admit that it has affected the team more than they’ve let on.
“I felt we were a little disconnected in the first half, several times and so we talked about that at halftime,” Kerr told reporters after the 137-128 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.
They may have been disconnected in the first half of the game on Sunday, but they’ve been disconnected entirely since October. A 7-25 road record is bad for a young and inexperienced team, but a team with a championship pedigree as deep as this one? It’s almost unbelievable.
This play is a microcosm of what a disjointed and dysfunctional team looks like. What seems to be a simple pass and play, is ruined by an obvious lack of trust, and culminating in frustration and seemingly resignation:
Here's that obvious moment of exasperation from Draymond Green near the end of the first half in OKC. Flashes open for a pass from Jordan Poole, doesn't get it, waves in annoyance, walks away from the action. pic.twitter.com/a9dP5IvJZs
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 8, 2023
Yes, they’ve missed Steph Curry to injury for a big chunk of the season, and currently missing Andrew Wiggins to personal reasons. Yes, the development of Johnathan Kuminga and Moses Moody has been slower than expected. But there is still enough talent and experience there to be a much better team than they’ve shown. Unless there are bigger issues in play.
The Warriors front office thought this dysfunction could be swept under the rug with good basketball and a championship pedigree. Once upon a time, they seemed light years ahead. Currently, it seems like they’ve fallen behind the pack.
