The NBA is on its All-Star break, with Los Angeles as the focal point for the weekend’s activities. While players display their skills, many teams are using this time to prepare for the final stretch of the season.
This break allows teams to assess their goals for the remainder of the season. One team facing significant evaluation is the Golden State Warriors.
Currently sitting at 29-26, the Warriors hold the eighth spot in the Western Conference, with 27 games remaining. The primary question for the organization as the break approaches is its outlook for the rest of the season.
Health of Kristaps Porzingis, effectiveness of new-look roster will play into Golden State Warriors’ success
They find themselves in a play-in position. Given their win total and the fact that several teams are not striving to win, it’s too late to aim for a higher draft pick.
With Butler sidelined for the season and Steph Curry nursing a knee issue, general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. stated that expectations for the roster remain uncertain. However, head coach Steve Kerr feels positive about their situation as they head into the break.
Despite a season marked by challenges—including Kuminga’s situation and injuries to key players—there are still promising aspects as the second half of the season begins. Fans have been eager for a genuine stretch big man, and the arrival of Porzingis seems to fulfill that wish.
A key issue is Porzingis’ health. If he can remain fit, he will provide the team with a valuable asset on offense and improve their defense with rim protection and vertical spacing. This could create pressure on the rim not seen since Andrew Bogut and JaVale McGee.
If Porzingis can stay healthy, he will be a crucial addition, potentially elevating the team in their search for a dominant center. The next 27 games will serve as a critical period for the roster to gauge their competitiveness against top teams in the Western Conference.
With the revamped roster gearing up for the All-Star break, and the potential return of Curry and the addition of Porzingis, the Warriors have a squad capable of tackling various challenges on the court.
Although leaders like Dunleavy and Kerr might not foresee a championship this year, the goal should be to present a strong performance. They aim to compete as much as possible given their circumstances, and see where they end up by season’s end, showing their growth toward becoming a championship-caliber team.