Stephen Curry and his teammates did well enough to break the spell of their own weak Christmas battle, and the Warriors laughed to the end in a strong conversation with the Suns and reclaimed the league's number one throne from their opponents.
Of course, this Warriors are not perfect, and if they want to bring the O'Brien Cup back to the Bay Area in six months, they need to do better. As 2022 approaches, Curry and his teammates can focus on improving in three ways so they can become a better, true championship leader.
Reduce the number of mistakes
If there is anything missing from the Warriors who have re-played the dominance of the "Empire Warriors" this season and have re-shocked the entire league, then the high turnover rate is now their Achilles heel. They've averaged 16 turnovers per game this season, 1.4 more than last season, and are second in the league after the Houston Rockets (17.4 per game). To know that the Rockets are now a full-fledged tank team, and that a team of this level is on a horizontal line, which is the problem in itself.
Of course, since Steve Kerr took over the Warriors' whip, the passing system he has promoted has been accompanied by a high turnover rate. The emphasis on the extreme fixed point cover, passing system, the players need to establish enough tacit understanding and chemistry, in the current wave of injuries and a large number of players to trigger the safety and health agreement, will also aggravate the situation of mistakes. Of course, players like Dream Green and Curry will also have more mistakes, of course, such a high error rate is also accompanied by high yields such as risks and opportunities.
Still, if you want to stand out in the highly confrontational playoffs and finally win the O'Brien Cup. The Warriors need to step up their run-in over the remaining seasons and gradually reduce the number of turnovers. After all, in the playoffs, they can't afford to miss the key ball.
Reduce the number of fouls on the defensive end
This season's Warriors have regained their sharp offensive points, and they have also shown championship-level dominance on the defensive end, the only fly in the ointment is that their number of fouls is a bit too much. They have averaged 20.3 fouls per game this season, down slightly from 21.2 last season and fifth in the league.
Admittedly, the Warriors' defensive aggressiveness helped them win high-quality defenses. But the side effect is that in some games, the main force and rotating players will cause themselves to be deeply troubled by fouls because of some unnecessary hands and unnecessary attacks, thus disrupting the overall layout and giving the opponent a chance.
In the pin-point vs. McMan's playoffs, any slight mistake is captured by an attentive opponent and infinitely magnified. Warriors' young players can talk to veterans like Iguodala on defensive tips on how to control their foul count and reduce the likelihood of sending their opponents to the free throw line. Good defensive discipline will make them invincible on their journey to victory.
To ensure the health of Iguodala, Otto Porter, and most importantly, to ensure the health of Thompson
Of course, if possible, the Warriors will want every player in the lineup to ensure their health, Curry, Dream Green, Andrew Wiggins, etc., everyone is indispensable. But those players who are relatively vulnerable and have injury risks deserve the attention of the medical team.
Everyone knows it's been a tough time for Klay Thompson. The five-time All-Star came out of two disastrous injuries and tried to get back on the court, but the process was tough, with him forced to postpone his comeback plans after a Christmas comeback and cameras capturing Clay on the bench alone after his teammates left the game. The Warriors need Thompson to get back in shape and get back on the team in a matter of months, ideally a seamless full-time fit into the playoffs. At the very least, it is also necessary to ensure the health of this historical level sharpshooter.
The same problem arises with Iguodala, the veteran who has missed half of the games this season. Of course, the Warriors have not expected Iguodala to contribute much energy in the regular season, and when it comes to the playoffs, can he still turn on the switch of the body and switch to playoff mode? Otto Porter Jr.'s performance in the decisive moment of the Christmas battle is amazing, and it is conceivable that if it were not for the injury problem, the former top-notch show could have achieved what he could achieve, rather than just getting a veteran salary in his 28-year-old good years. If possible, in the regular season, let these veterans take appropriate rotation to ensure their health.
After all, healthy warriors have proven their fighting prowess, and after a long regular season, it's when the test really begins.