After their loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday, the Golden State Warriors are now 4-1 to start off the 2021-22 NBA season. While it's unfortunate they couldn't extend their stellar streak, this is still a tangible sign that this version of the Dubs is one solid team. There are three main takeaways from this strong start. These will not just serve as an early evaluation for their performance, but they could serve as guiding posts for what's to come.t
Three Warriors takeaways after first five games
Stephen Curry is absolutely in the MVP conversation
In the past two seasons the Golden State Warriors recorded subpar records, critics lambasted Stephen Curry as not the type of superstar who can carry a team by his lonesome. It was a foolish assumption. After all, not only was Curry nursing injuries (he played only five games in the 2019-20 NBA season), but the Warriors were still sculpting a roster good enough to contend for the title once again.
Haters do not realize that these things take time. And amid this rebuilding process, Curry continued to put in the work. The fact that he was crowned scoring champion last season was a good proof of this. Curry, the player who changed how the game is played today, never lost his touch.
What we're seeing now is the culmination of Curry's hard work and never-ending trust in the process. The secret to the Warriors' strong start is no secret. Curry continues to be the focal point of Steve Kerr's offense. His mere presence in the court keeps the defense honest, even to the point of overcommitting or missing defensive rotations.
Analysts are now seeing the science behind why Curry is a threat. It's not only his shooting — that's a given. It's the fact that he constantly keeps moving around the floor, going through screens, keeping defenses on their toes. Kerr's system is so built around Curry that if you take the guard out, the Warriors' offense isn't as organized as when he's in.
Obviously, it's too early to conclude that Curry is on top of the MVP leaderboard. The leaderboard doesn't exist at this point. At the end of the day, it would ultimately depend on the Warriors' regular-season record. If they manage to squeeze out more victories and end up in within the top three of the Western Conference standings, Curry's third MVP trophy should be in the bag.
The Warriors are loaded with X-factors
Since basketball is a team sport, the only way for Curry's brilliance to translate into victories is if his teammates are in-sync. The Warriors front office has done a great job acquiring hidden talent from the NBA draft and through trades. So far, there are a few players who stand out. One of them is Nemanja Bjelica, who the Warriors have reportedly been interested in for a few years. He's averaging just 1.3 assists per game. But a closer look at his game would reveal how savvy he is of a playmaker.
Otto Porter is another player who can easily be considered an X-factor. When he signed with the team, many knew of how lethal he is of a 3-point shooter. He's knocked down a couple over the first few games. But what stands out is how good he is on defense. He always rotates according and doesn't bust any coverage.
Damion Lee, who's been with the team since 2018, is finally coming out of his shell. He got his chance to play in the 2019-20 NBA season when the team was riddled with injuries. Safe to say that he made the most out of this opportunity. Now, he's an intrinsic part of Kerr's rotation, offering consistent scoring from the bench. So far in the season, he's averaging 14.3 points on 47.5 percent shooting from the field and 47.1 from deep.
Jordan Poole has a lot of upside
Jordan Poole entered the league as the 28th overall pick in the decorated 2019 NBA Draft. He was overshadowed by his batchmates Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, RJ Barrett, and others. But as the seasons went on, Poole proved why he should be considered as one of the top players of his batch. So far, the 22-year-old is averaging 15.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals.
Poole has started all games for Kerr so far. Interestingly, he keeps Poole in the game whenever Curry sits. This is where we see Poole's basketball talent — his shooting, his amazing finishes at the ring, his knack for stealing the ball.
His game isn't that polished yet. He still commits silly turnovers and makes hasty decisions. He will iron things out as he progresses in his career. But from where he stands now, safe to say that the organization has a safe future with him around.
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