The Warriors' Western Conference semifinals against the Grizzlies should be the most watched semifinals, which is directly related to the popularity of the Warriors in the league. In fact, the Warriors played relatively easily against the Nuggets in the first round, basically suppressing the Nuggets' counterattack, but playing very badly against the Grizzlies.
Once that Warriors was a super team in the league, Durant joined the Warriors to reach the peak of strength, unfortunately only one step away from the three consecutive championships - injuries ruined the Warriors' dream of three consecutive championships. In the two seasons since that, the Warriors have gradually fallen from the top, but the Warriors look more like a dormant beast.
Klay Thompson's return from injury, coupled with two years of accumulated belongings in the trough, contributed to the warriors' rise. Today's Warriors still have the strength to win the championship, and this season is a hot championship level team.
The Warriors' core roster hasn't changed since the war-torn period, with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Drummond Green still at the heart of the team. There are also changes, and the role of Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole in this team is becoming more and more important, especially Jordan Poole has made significant progress this season, which has helped the Warriors tremendously.
There is also an invisible change that must also be mentioned, the age of several core players of the Warriors.
If it had been two or three years ago, no one might have believed that the Warriors would break up the team's structure, but now the situation will be a little different, will the Warriors make some changes? Recently, former NBA player Perkins said in a show that the Warriors should make some changes, and trading Klay Thompson is something the Warriors should seriously consider.
Perkins analyzed: "I see Poole is rising, and then look at Clay (Thompson). I'm not denying Clay – he still has the potential to be the Clay of the past, and he's had some shining moments this season. But the Warriors still have to look ahead and rebuild. You don't want anything to hinder Poole's growth and I'm sure Poole will be a very special player. ”
Trading Klay Thompson? Rebuilding the team? Perkins' argument is bold.
We also know that Klay Thompson's season as a free agent, even if he was seriously injured, he still got a big contract with the Warriors. On the one hand, Klay Thompson's strength, it is inevitable that top 3D players will be popular in the league; on the other hand, it is also necessary to consider the feelings of players, including Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry, Drummond Green.
You have to admit, no team is going to be at the top all the time, and it's rare for a team like the Spurs to be in the playoffs for almost two decades. More often, the aging of the core players has inevitably led to an inevitable decline in the competitiveness of the team, and the Warriors are already a relatively stable team.
Trading Klay Thompson wasn't entirely impossible, and if you think about it, wasn't Iguodala traded by the Warriors? If the trade really helps the team, the Warriors have to consider all the possibilities. But can Poole really replace Klay Thompson's role in the team? This is not a conclusive thing.
Poole is younger, which is his biggest advantage at the moment, but defensive performance, stability and so on have yet to be tested. Of course, the Warriors will face high luxury taxes to keep Poole, which may be the direct reason why Perkins suggested that the Warriors trade TangShen.
(Text/Yan Wujun)