Has the Golden State Warriors' Empire come to an end?
Free Throw Shootout
Throughout the regular season and the playoffs in each conference, there have been events that are among the most important of the competition and that have marked the history of this competition.
Among these events there is one that can be classified as the end of an era, the closing of a cycle or the culmination of a story. It is true that many important events took place, but the author wants to refer to the elimination of the team that in the last ten years has ruled the destinies of the NBA: The Golden State Warriors.
**The Golden State Warriors **
warriors
This was by no means the best version of this team, and what they had experienced during the regular season foreshadowed a far from pleasant performance in the season.
How is it possible that a team that won the NBA title in the previous season had such an irregular performance?
What was the reason for this downturn if the team's foundation and management were the same that led them to six Finals appearances and four wins in recent years?
What were the elements that, in the author's opinion, the Warriors lacked to advance?
The team lacked what was one of its lethal weapons: a solid defense that prevented the opponent from playing comfortably, which combined with a good effectiveness in shooting from the field and the result was equal to victories.
The overall performance of the team was not good. In some phases of the championship they seemed tired or lacked the physical preparation that allowed them to suffocate the opponents with their pressure marking.
The team lacked players who could battle under the boards and have a good rebounding edge. When they faced teams taller than them and the effectiveness in three-point shooting failed they lost the games.
The team did not have the effectiveness in three-point shooting that would lead them to erase disadvantages in regular season games or reverse playoffs.
Players who were expected to perform at the highest level, especially in the playoffs, did not contribute enough for the team. Such was the case of Jordan Poole, Looney or Andrew Wiggins, who arrived to the final phase after several months without being part of the team. In that sense, neither the stellar Klay Thompson nor Draymond Green were able to become Curry's squires.
The team had a very poor performance as a visitor and in the long run it took its toll. This was validated by the series against the Lakers, where they failed to win any of the games at the home of Lebron and company.
The team has to sign players that will allow them to get back to having a competitive team that will allow them to aspire to fight for the NBA ring.
One final basket
Are we witnessing the last dance of Steve Kerr and his beloved Golden State Warriors?
In the author's opinion, this team has the roster to continue to do battle in the NBA, but there are a number of elements that must change and among them is the need to sign players in key areas, such as the centers that allow them to combine the game from the perimeter with two-point shots and to be able to successfully dispute the balls under the boards.
Now comes a stage of analysis, reflections and search for the causes of the unfortunate performances they had and look for the elements that will allow them to return to the level that will allow them to fight for the next NBA ring.
For many this is the end of the Warriors' empire, for the author it is a warning that they are not infallible, that not everything is going well within the franchise and that positive results cannot always be obtained using the same methods. Let's hope they find the path that will lead them back to the recovery of their golden empire.