Golden State early offseason in review (HW/bondom34/dbrandon)

[Left*My*Heart]

I'm actually expecting a drop off in defense this year. Could see the slip last season. It won't matter in the regular season because that offense will trounce everyone. But come playoff time if they can't make key stops I could see the caves hurting them again. (Not likely, I would just put their chances at a ring at 90 rather than 99)

Their defense dropped from their championship season to last season. I don't see much of a trade off defensively and actually their small ball lineup should be even better defensively. The key is to limit the amount of time Green plays the 5. I think Durant is a better defender than Barnes.

[HartfordWhalers]

It looked one vet down from what I expected. Mario Chalmers when he heals?

I'd think he'd need atleast a year to be of any use after that injury. So their best bet might be to look to the buy out, waiver wire for someone like Calderon in March.

Kendall Marshall is a free agent in ~2 weeks. That might actually be an okay landing spot for him and fit for GS.

Or apparently Phil Pressey.

[Texas Chuck]

I'm actually expecting a drop off in defense this year. Could see the slip last season. It won't matter in the regular season because that offense will trounce everyone. But come playoff time if they can't make key stops I could see the caves hurting them again. (Not likely, I would just put their chances at a ring at 90 rather than 99)

Their defense dropped from their championship season to last season. I don't see much of a trade off defensively and actually their small ball lineup should be even better defensively. The key is to limit the amount of time Green plays the 5. I think Durant is a better defender than Barnes.

A dialed-in Durant is definitely better defensively than Barnes. But Barnes knew he was out there to defend and hit open shots. Durant won't have those same responsibilities. That combined with Zaza in for Bogut and I think there is no question at all that during the RS the defense will drop off.

Now thats mostly irrelevant because they will be so good offensively that they will win 65 games on talent alone. And I imagine in the playoffs we will see a dialed-in defensively Kevin Durant because if the Warriors don't win a title this year, he is going to get a ton of heat even if he puts up great offensive numbers and Curry or Klay or Draymond struggle. He will be seen as the guy who broke up the chemistry of an all-time team.

But definitely fair imo to say they will be a worse defensive team.

[Mich3006]

Can't lose by getting Durant but the micro analyst in me thinks the backcourt depth is too thin and will come back to bite them if either Steph or Livingston gets injured, which is very possible.

Thought the same but on the other hand Green is their playmaker so it won´t be a big problem. They "only" need a guy who can defend the opponent´s PG on the one spot because of their guys on the 2-4...

[HartfordWhalers]

I'm actually expecting a drop off in defense this year. Could see the slip last season. It won't matter in the regular season because that offense will trounce everyone. But come playoff time if they can't make key stops I could see the caves hurting them again. (Not likely, I would just put their chances at a ring at 90 rather than 99)

Their defense dropped from their championship season to last season. I don't see much of a trade off defensively and actually their small ball lineup should be even better defensively. The key is to limit the amount of time Green plays the 5. I think Durant is a better defender than Barnes.

A dialed-in Durant is definitely better defensively than Barnes. But Barnes knew he was out there to defend and hit open shots. Durant won't have those same responsibilities. That combined with Zaza in for Bogut and I think there is no question at all that during the RS the defense will drop off.

Now thats mostly irrelevant because they will be so good offensively that they will win 65 games on talent alone. And I imagine in the playoffs we will see a dialed-in defensively Kevin Durant because if the Warriors don't win a title this year, he is going to get a ton of heat even if he puts up great offensive numbers and Curry or Klay or Draymond struggle. He will be seen as the guy who broke up the chemistry of an all-time team.

But definitely fair imo to say they will be a worse defensive team.

Okay running with that 65 as a win prediction, or do you want to refine the number?

[Texas Chuck]

Give me 63 as my official prediction please.