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The NBA All-Star break is coming to an end as regular-season games will resume on Thursday. The Golden State Warriors got off to a terrific start that continued throughout the season. It included Stephen Curry breaking the all-time three-point record, Klay Thompson successfully returning from injury, three All-Stars, and Curry winning the All-Star Game MVP.
Now the final stretch of the season is upon them. There are three burning questions facing the Dubs as they approach the finish line.
#1 Can the Warriors get fully healthy?
The same question the Warriors had at the beginning of the season about health is still present. Thompson is working his way back to his old self, and the Dubs lost Draymond Green in the process. He suffered a lower back injury that caused tightness in his calf muscle. The defensive specialist hasn't technically played a single game with Thompson this season.
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Then there is the second-year center James Wiseman who hasn't played a game this season. However, there has been good news surrounding the talented big. It has been rumored the 2020 No. 2 pick is eyeing a return in early March.
If the Warriors can get all three of these players fully healthy by the postseason, they might end up clear favorites to win it all.
#2 Is Steph Curry's shooting slump over?
Before the All-Star break, Curry was shooting way below his career average. He's managed to keep his streak of making at least one three-pointer per game alive, but his percentage has continued to suffer. This season he is shooting 37.9 percent according to basketball-reference.com. It's the lowest percentage he's shot from deep in his career, besides the year he played 5 games.
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Every night fans expect the slump to end. He's the greatest shooter in the world so why wouldn't you. In this year's All-Star Game he drained an All-Star Game record 16 threes and won MVP. Sure these were mostly uncontested shots, but when players are slumping all they need to see is the ball go through the net. It could be just what Curry needed to get out of his slump.
#3 Do the Warriors have enough to win a title?
The Warriors come into the last part of the season with the same roster they started with. They sat out the trade deadline and didn't go after anyone in the buyout market. That leaves them with the possibility of being too small and without a true backup point guard.
It hasn't bothered them much this season but there have been some concerning moments. Usually against the top-tier opponents who have depth and talent.
There are a lot of bright sides to look at with this question. They have been the No. 1 rebounding and passing team for a large portion of the season, and they aren't fully healthy. Green and Wiseman could be the answer to this question.
No matter how the season ends the Warriors have taken a step in the right direction, but that won't be satisfying enough for a hungry team driven by championships. If they can answer these three burning questions correctly they could be the last team standing.
