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Golden State Warriors 2015 NBA Season Preview

By Cody Williams

Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) kisses the Larry O
Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) kisses the Larry O /
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May 1, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) is congratulated by forward Draymond Green (23, right) after making a three-point basket while being fouled by Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32, not pictured) during the fourth quarter in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) is congratulated by forward Draymond Green (23, right) after making a three-point basket while being fouled by Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32, not pictured) during the fourth quarter in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Breakdown

What is there really to say about the Warriors offense other than the fact that they really can’t be stopped. This team has defied every notion that basketball analysts have ever had about what a good shot is, largely because any shot where the ball is going in the general direction of the basket is a good shot for Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

The Warriors were the second-best offensive team in the league last year in terms of efficiency, averaging 109.7 points per 100 possessions. With Curry looking to capitalize off of his MVP performance last season and with Thompson still progressing as a young guard in this league, that doesn’t seem like a number that is going to drop by any amount of consequence. They are going to push the pace to a break-neck pace and are going to succeed in doing so, just like they did last season.

Defensive Breakdown

While you can look at the offense and the personnel of the Warriors and say that their offense won’t take a hit this season, you have to look at their defensive performance from last season and wonder if that’s sustainable coming into their 2015-16 campaign. That’s because what they did last season was unprecedented.

The Warriors were the best defense in the league last season in terms of efficiency while also leading the league in terms of pace. That’s simply an absurd thing to happen just logically looking at the game of basketball; a team isn’t supposed to create more possessions per game and become a more efficient defensive team, but that’s exactly what the Warriors did.

I realize that Golden State still has Draymond Green, Andrew Bogut, and Andre Iguodala all on the roster, which is huge for their defense. I just don’t know if they can play at the same pace and maintain that level of defense. They’re still going to be a quality defensive team, but I don’t think they’ll be making history again because of their defense again this season.

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