The Golden State Warriors rank first in defensive efficiency and fifth on offense to start the season.
"Really…talented…players," Steve Kerr told USA TODAY Sports when asked to explain their start. "Really, that's what it comes down to. This team was top-five in defense last year; obviously we have a lot of skill on offense, so the focus is to get a little better on offense and maintain on defense. That's what has happened."
Kerr cites the 01-02 Sacramento Kings that featured Chris Webber, Mike Bibby and Vlade Divac as a team that plays on both ends of the floor in a way that's similar to the Warriors.
"I know it is rare," Kerr said of this kind of two-way proficiency. "(But) the (Warriors) roster is great defensively, because you've got Bogs (Bogut) protecting the rim and then you've got a bunch of versatile wing defenders, so we switch a lot. And switching is difficult to deal with, because it disrupts the point of each play where you're trying to get an advantage with a screen, and when you switch teams tend to stop moving the ball and the shot clock starts to wind down. And the fact that we've got Harrison (Barnes) and Andre (Iguodala) and Klay (Thompson) and Draymond (Green) – numerous guys who can guard multiple positions, it makes it a lot easier."
