The Warriors finally found their offense

After two months of trial and error, it seems the Warriors have finally found the right formula. Long burdened by successive losses of the ball and lack of offensive fluidity, theSteve Kerr’s team today it shows a face much more in line with expectations.

The authoritarian victory against Sacramento is just one symbol among others: since December 18, Golden State has won eight of its eleven games, with an offense that has once again become one of the most efficient in the league.

The return to form of Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton changed everything. Present, available, capable of stabilizing rotations, the two veterans have restored coherence to the collective. The result: more passes, less waste and a pace that suffocates the opposing defense.

“We’re in a good rhythm with our rotation and it helps to have the same five on the field”, explains Steve Kerr.
“Having Melt and Al both healthy and successful is the version of the team we envisioned when we signed them this summer. The wealth is there and we’re really starting to find a good rhythm.”

Fewer turnovers, more assists

The numbers speak for themselves. Over a period of several weeks, the offensive efficiency (offensive rating) of the Warriors went from the soft bottom of the league to the NBA top 3: 119.3 points on 100 possessions. Even more impressive: their assist-to-turnover ratio rose from 1.71 (19th) to 2.09 (8th). This is evidence of more thoughtful, disciplined basketball.

Stephen Curry recognizes it: Golden State learned the hard way. The slap received in Toronto served as an electric shock. Since then, the priority has been clear: secure the ball, play fair and trust the collective movement.

“A lot of it comes from Melton, Al, Guy Santos, who bring a lot, and Will Richard finding his place in the rotation”, underlines Curry. “Now they’re playing guys who weren’t available or weren’t at all at the beginning of the season. It helps us organize our rotations better. Our defense has been pretty solid all year, but the offense has been inconsistent. The veterans, especially Melton and Horford, have helped us a lot in connecting the five. And now we’re playing more thoughtful basketball. We just have to keep going like this.

The defense never weakened. But now comes the attack. And when the Warriors find that balance, they become a dangerous team again. Now it remains to be confirmed, and the schedule is very, very favorable with six matches in a row at home.

Offensive rating : an estimate of the number of points scored by a player, or team, over 100 possessions.