The Golden State Warriors are in a slump. They have lost three straight games, most recently to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are now one of the top teams in the West. The Warriors are now 6-5, good for sixth in the Western Conference, and far from the dominant team that won four championships in the last decade.
One of the main reasons for the Warriors’ struggles is the poor performance of their starters, especially compared to their bench. In the past few games, when the starters of Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Kevon Looney were getting destroyed by teams, the bench would come in and bring the game back close, but it would be already too late.
The bench players, such as Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, and Dario Saric, have shown more energy, hustle, and efficiency than the starters, who look tired, frustrated, and out of sync. Now there is potential evidence that Warriors starters might be a bit jealous of the bench players’ success as a unit so far.
Is Draymond Green and Stephen Curry Refusing to Say Warriors’ Bench Players Need More Minutes a Sign of Jealousy and Stubborn Egos?
After the Warriors’ third straight loss against the Timberwolves, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green were both asked if the bench players need to play more minutes for them to have success this season. The question was based on the fact that the bench players have outplayed the starters in almost every game, and have a positive net rating as a unit, while the starters have a negative one.
The question seemed reasonable, and the answer should have been simple: yes, the bench players need more minutes.
However, neither Curry nor Green gave a direct answer. Instead, they both talked in circles, avoiding the issue and deflecting the responsibility. Green said that in the NBA, bench players don’t simply get more minutes like that, but they have to wait in line for their opportunity. He then rambled on about how when he was a bench player, he waited for his chance and proved himself.
It was almost like Green refused to say that the bench players need more minutes, because he’s scared they will take his minutes, and his ego is getting in the way.
Curry was no better. He also would not give a definitive “yes” answer. Rather, just like Green, he talked in circles about how the bench players need to stay ready if an opportunity to play more is granted to them. He also said that the starters need to play better and set the tone for the team.
Like Green, it seemed like Curry refused to say that the bench players need more minutes, in his case it may have been because he knows those bench players would take minutes away from Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Draymond Green. He probably didn’t want to be accused of throwing them under the bus, but in the process he kind of threw the bench players under the bus.
Curry is the only starter who is playing at an elite level. He is also the only starter who has scored over 20 points in a game this season.
The other starters have been disappointing, to say the least. Thompson, still has not regained his form as one of the best shooters and defenders in the league. He has put up back-to-back horrible 5-16 shooting performances against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Timberwolves.
Wiggins, who was supposed to be the third option on offense, has been invisible most of the time. He is averaging 10 points per game, but he is shooting only 41% from the field and 15% from three-point range.
To be honest, Wiggins seems depressed about Jordan Poole getting traded to the Washington Wizards in the offseason, as they were close friends. Poole, who was a star for the Warriors last season, averaging 20.4 points per game, was sent to the Wizards in exchange for veteran Chris Paul.
The Warriors’ demise this season will likely be their own egos getting in the way of the team’s success. It might be time for Green and Thompson to realize that they are past their primes, and need to let the young players have a larger role.
The bench players have proven that they can compete and contribute, and they deserve more minutes. The Warriors need to make some changes in their rotations, or else they will continue to lose games and fall behind in the standings.
They have a talented roster, but they need to use it wisely and effectively. Otherwise, they will waste another year of Curry’s prime, and miss their chance to win another championship.
