Warriors mid-season report
After 41 games of the 2016-17 season, the best team in the NBA is the Golden State Warriors. Incredibly, they have the top ranked offensive rating AND defensive rating. Their record is 35-6.
Is it possible for the Warriors to be better NOW? Are they in touch with reality? Who are the five most efficient at each position? And, which players have defensive ratings better than the team defrtg? These are the questions we will answer in our Hoop Obsession mid-season report.
Durant and the Dubs are the best in the NBA through 41 games.
The Warriors are great. Kevin Durant, to the surprise of almost nobody, looks comfortable with the already championship caliber team he joined. The Warriors lost two games in blowout fashion within the first six contests of the season (to the Spurs, and to the Lakers). After the seventh game of the 2016-17 season, Golden State is 30-4.
The most productive player in the first half of the season for the Warriors was Durant. While Stephen Curry and Kay Thompson's numbers may have slipped individually, the team is doing just fine. And that is what really matters.
Are the Warriors in touch with their reality?
Yes. As much as any team in the NBA, the Warriors front office understands exactly where they are. They are set up to contend for NBA championships. As such, the Warriors do not have a pick in either the first or second round of the 2017 NBA Draft. It should be noted that in the 2016 NBA Draft, the Warriors bought their way in and selected Patrick McCaw.
Five most efficient by position
PG - Stephen Curry .719, SG - Klay Thompson .497, SF - Kevin Durant .898, PF - Draymond Green .681, C Zaza Pachulia .605
Which players have defensive ratings better than the team defrtg? (players w/ 300 minutes played minimum)
The Warriors TEAM defensive rating is 103.6 (1st of 30). The players with defensive ratings better than the team average: Draymond Green 99, David West 100, Kevin Durant 101, and Zaza Pachulia 102.
Conclusions
- The Warriors were the best team in the NBA in the first half of the 2016-17 season.
NBA related. Trade targets.
- The Warriors do have their 2018 first round pick. Perhaps since they are in a win-now mode they would consider trading that pick.