Tony Avelar/Associated Press
Stephen Curry has managed to erupt for a handful of thrilling “Yeah, I’m still an MVP” nights despite opposing defenses throwing all manner of geometric defensive nonsense at him.
Box-and-one, triangle-and-two…don’t be surprised if some pioneering coach (probably Nick Nurse) abandons concern for the other four Golden State Warriors on the floor and deploys a pentagon-shaped scheme that surrounds Curry with all five defenders.
Growing pains and flashes of brilliance have defined James Wiseman’s first month. His athleticism is undeniable, and his shooting stroke suggests he’ll be a high-volume three-point threat as soon as next year. But he’s got a long developmental road ahead of him.
Kelly Oubre’ Jr.’s frigid shooting to start the season seeped into other aspects of his offensive game. Hesitant, constantly unaware or even literally in the way of Curry’s patented relocation treys, Oubre has often looked totally adrift. On D, he’s been a live wire, though Andrew Wiggins deserves the most praise for his work on that end.
Wiggins’ offense comes and goes, but he’s been one of the best wing stoppers in the league. The Warriors will take that, and they’ll also gladly accept second-year forward Eric Paschall’s hand-in-glove fit as a small-ball center in a speedy second unit.
Golden State is right where it ought to be, fighting for one of the last few playoff spots in the West and demonstrably able to compete with the league’s best on the right nights. It already has comeback wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers. If Wiseman improves quickly, Draymond Green can remember how to score and Oubre regains his stroke, a move toward the West’s upper tier is still possible.
