For the last five seasons, the Golden State Warriors epitomized what it’s like to have “superteam” in today’s modern era of basketball.
Brimming with talent from all five positions and bolstered by a mix of youth and experienced role players, the Dubs went on to claim three Larry O’Brien trophies in a five-year span.
However, that aura of invincibility no longer engulfs the San Francisco-based squad this year, as they featured a much different line-up and got off on a 1-3 start in the 2019-20 NBA regular season.
The Warriors’ worst fears came true when superstar Stephen Curry was ruled out for three months after undergoing surgery for his broken left hand.
With Curry, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson out of the equation, only Draymond Green remains as the lone remnant from the team’s championship core.
Green recently opened up about the stark changes in Golden State after the team’s string of bad luck.
“It’ll be weird from the standpoint of the familiarity we’ve built over the years, but we’ve got 10-12 other teammates,” the one-time Defensive Player of the Year said, via the San Francisco Chronicle . “Everybody is embracing those relationships. So, it’s not like I’m looking at it like it’s us four and them, it’s not that.”
The Warriors also kept defensive linchpin Kevon Looney, but a timetable for his return remains uncertain after it was revealed that a neuropathic condition has been causing his chronic hamstring problems.
A defensive-oriented player since his days in Michigan, Green will now have to assume a larger chunk in Steve Kerr’s offense alongside D’Angelo Russell. He is currently tallying 10.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.8 dimes after four games.