The Golden State Warriors’ recent struggles have been a hot topic of discussion across the NBA. In the aftermath of another disappointing stretch, star player Steph Curry spoke candidly about the issues plaguing the team, remarking, “There’s a lot wrong.” His comments reflect the frustration shared by many in the Warriors’ fanbase, as the team’s once-promising season has veered into a troubling skid. With the Warriors failing to meet the expectations set by their previous successes, it’s crucial to dissect what exactly is going wrong and what the path forward might look like.
The Warriors’ Expectations and Recent Performance
To understand Curry’s comments, it’s necessary to first contextualize the Warriors’ recent performance. Since their dominance in the 2010s, the Warriors have been perennial contenders, thanks in large part to their signature “Splash Brothers” duo of Curry and Klay Thompson, the leadership of Draymond Green, and the innovative coaching of Steve Kerr. Their success has set a high bar, and expectations have been through the roof for the Warriors, even as the team has evolved over the years.
However, the current season has not been kind to them. Injuries, inconsistency, and roster changes have left the team struggling to find its rhythm. Curry’s individual brilliance has been evident, but even he can’t carry a team that is faltering in several key areas. The Warriors are finding it difficult to replicate their championship-caliber play, which makes Curry’s assertion of “a lot wrong” particularly poignant.
1. Injuries and Lack of Continuity
Injuries have played a significant role in the Warriors’ struggles. While Curry himself has managed to stay relatively healthy, both Klay Thompson and Draymond Green have dealt with injuries in recent seasons, impacting the team’s ability to gel. Thompson, in particular, is still working his way back to full strength after suffering two major injuries (an Achilles tear and an ACL injury) that sidelined him for two consecutive seasons. While his return was highly anticipated, he has not yet returned to his former All-Star level, which has left a hole in the Warriors’ backcourt.
Green’s health is also a concern. Known for his defensive prowess and playmaking, Green has been a cornerstone of the Warriors’ system. However, his age and injuries have reduced his effectiveness at times. Green is often the emotional and tactical leader for Golden State, and when he is not at his best, the team’s cohesion suffers.
Beyond the core three, the Warriors have had their fair share of injury troubles across the roster, making it difficult to maintain continuity. The lack of stability has hindered their ability to develop chemistry, particularly with the younger players who are expected to contribute in a more significant way.
2. The Decline of the Warriors’ Bench Depth
Historically, one of the Warriors’ strengths has been their depth. The team has been able to roll out lineups that could shift seamlessly between star power and solid role players. In recent years, however, their bench has become a weak point.
The Warriors’ reliance on veterans like Andre Iguodala and Kevon Looney has somewhat masked this issue in previous seasons, but the lack of a reliable second unit has become increasingly evident. While the team has brought in some fresh faces, such as Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga, the younger players have struggled to step up consistently. Their inconsistencies have exposed the team’s vulnerability when the starters are off the floor.
A deeper issue, though, lies in the Warriors’ offensive scheme when their stars are resting. Without Curry or Thompson on the floor, the offense can become stagnant, relying too heavily on isolation plays or forced shots. This lack of offensive fluidity has been a significant part of the Warriors’ struggles during their skid.
3. Defensive Issues and Draymond Green’s Role
The Warriors’ defense has also been a glaring issue. Under Steve Kerr, the team built much of its success on a strong defensive foundation, led by Green’s leadership on that end of the floor. However, the Warriors have been susceptible to lapses, particularly when it comes to defending the pick-and-roll and securing defensive rebounds. Opponents have found ways to exploit the Warriors’ defensive sets, and without Green at his defensive peak, the Warriors have looked vulnerable.
Green’s decline, at least in terms of his elite defensive abilities, has become evident. While still a strong defender overall, his struggles to maintain his physicality and agility have left the Warriors’ defense with noticeable holes. Additionally, the loss of key role players who were once reliable defenders has further weakened their overall defensive efforts.
The Warriors’ drop-off in defense has had a ripple effect on their offense as well. With their defensive sets struggling, the team is often forced into more transition situations, and not all of the Warriors are equipped to excel in those moments. This breakdown has made it even more difficult for Golden State to sustain their typical offensive output.
4. The Absence of a Consistent Offensive System
Another significant problem for the Warriors has been their offensive inconsistency. Golden State has made a name for itself with fast-paced, three-point-heavy ball movement. But lately, the Warriors have struggled to create the kind of offensive flow that they were once known for.
Curry remains an offensive juggernaut, capable of creating shots from anywhere on the floor. However, the Warriors’ reliance on Curry to carry the load has left them exposed when he is having an off-night or when opposing defenses focus heavily on neutralizing him. Without a consistent second option, the offense can become one-dimensional.
Thompson has shown flashes of his old self, but he has not been as consistent as the team needs him to be. The emergence of Jordan Poole as a scoring threat helped at times, but Poole is now with the Washington Wizards after being traded. The team’s inability to replace him with a comparable scorer off the bench has created a vacuum that the Warriors have not been able to fill.
In addition to individual scoring, the Warriors’ offensive ball movement has become less sharp. They’ve been prone to turnovers and forced shots, which is uncharacteristic for a team that used to pride itself on selflessness and high basketball IQ. This lack of fluidity in the offense is another major issue Curry alluded to when he mentioned that “a lot [was] wrong.”
5. The Evolving NBA Landscape and the Warriors’ Position
The Warriors’ struggles also stem from the rapidly changing landscape of the NBA. While Golden State has been dominant over the past decade, the league itself has evolved in ways that have made it more difficult for any one team to sustain its level of dominance year after year.
New contenders have emerged, and the NBA’s younger talent is growing at a rapid pace. Teams like the Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Boston Celtics have solidified themselves as championship contenders, bringing in fresh challenges for the Warriors. Meanwhile, teams with rising stars and improved rosters have closed the gap, making it harder for Golden State to simply rely on their historical success and chemistry.
The Warriors’ once-innovative brand of basketball—driven by space, pace, and shooting—has become somewhat less revolutionary as other teams have adopted similar strategies. The league has adjusted, and Golden State’s inability to evolve alongside these changes has left them looking less formidable than in years past.
6. What Needs to Change?
Curry’s frustration is understandable, and the Warriors’ skid has shown the need for significant adjustments. First and foremost, the team needs to regain its defensive identity. This may require rethinking how Green is used, particularly when it comes to his role as the anchor of the defense. In addition, the younger players like Kuminga and Moody need to step up and contribute more consistently.
Offensively, Golden State needs to rediscover its ball movement and off-the-ball screening that made them so dangerous in years past. This could involve more creative lineups, potentially giving Curry more opportunities to play off the ball or encouraging Thompson to step up in a more dynamic scoring role.
The Warriors will also need to address their depth issues, especially with the bench unit. Adding another reliable scorer or playmaker could help relieve some of the pressure on Curry and Thompson.
