These five factors will determine if the Warriors can make deep NBA playoff run originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
With 57 games remaining on the schedule, the Warriors have plenty of time to rise or fall this season. As they sit in eighth place in the Western Conference, they remain confident in their ability to finish in the top six, thereby avoiding the play-in tournament.
That confidence has not, however, translated into success. The Warriors’ longest win streak is three games, and they’ll be out to tie that Friday night when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves at Chase Center.
Golden State has yet to win more than five games over any 10-game stretch, and its 13-12 record stands as proof that it has not found a rhythm.
There is plenty of time, however, to recover and climb the standings. Here are five factors that could decide whether the Warriors’ dreams make a deep postseason run:
Keeping Curry, Butler and Green healthy and productive
Golden State projects as no better than a play-in tournament team without Stephen Curry. Jimmy Butler III provides a necessary change of pace contrast that is highly effective under certain circumstances. Now that the defense seems to realize intensity is an essential component, it should get even better the moment Draymond Green returns.
Maintain recent defensive awareness and intensity.
Golden State’s defense during its road trip shifted from mostly good to borderline excellence, with a (99.0 rating that ranks second in the NBA over that short span. Despite the absence of Green, the energy was palpable, with Pat Spencer and De’Anthony Melton baring fangs. If the Warriors, currently second in defensive rating, remain at that level the offense will benefit.
Reaching a positive resolution to the ongoing Kuminga saga
The Warriors tried to move Jonathan Kuminga last summer, and he embraced having a fresh start. Didn’t happen. He signed a handsome contract during training camp, but the investment isn’t looking good. Unfortunately, a trade is the only conclusion for such incompatibility.
The availability of Horford and Melton
Though neither owns star status and both will have their minutes monitored, the availability of Al Horford and Melton is imperative. Horford has appeared in 13 of 25 games, slightly more than 50 percent. If he can push it to around 80 percent over the rest of the season – and be fresh for the playoffs – the Warriors will take it. As for Melton, we saw Golden State dip when he went down last season. He’s Curry’s best sidekick since prime Klay Thompson, and the quiet key to any rise in the standings.
“He’s a guy that understands what this level is all about, and he has a way of making the game very simple,” Curry said Thursday. “He’s a good shooter, can knock them down when he’s open. He can put the ball on the floor, play pick-and-roll, create on the backside. And, obviously, defensively, we know what he does, disrupting the ball. Just a prototypical like NBA two guard that can do a little bit of everything.”
A semblance of consistency from the role players
Green and Butler have been trying to coax the youngsters toward proficiency, and there it was on the road trip. Quinten Post and Spencer provided a boost. Buddy Hield’s missing shot made an appearance. Brandin Podziemski showed signs of recovering from his early-season slumber. Moses Moody, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Will Richard contributed. Gary Payton II continues to search for his best self.
It’s unreasonable to expect the entire crew to be consistently outstanding, but if any two or three can bring something to every game, it’s a win for the Warriors.
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