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Golden State Warriors: 5 Season-defining make or break questions

By Simoun Victor Redoblado

Oct 27, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after a basket during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after a basket during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Steph Curry driving past Anthony Davis for a layup
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry driving past Anthony Davis for a layup (Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports) /

3. Will their small-ball approach work in 2024?

In the mid-2010s, the Golden State Warriors dominated the NBA by harnessing small ball like no other ball club had. Predicated on D’Antoni-esque pace and the spacing created by the Splash Brothers, the Warriors’ offense stymied opponents on a regular basis.

It’s been eight years since the first NBA title of these Curry-led Warriors, and since then, teams have found playoff success without necessarily replicating the small ball template. From 2019 to 2021, the three teams that won an NBA title (Kawhi’s Raptors, LeBron’s Lakers, and Giannis’ Bucks) imposed their size and created serious matchup problems. Just this past season, Nikola Jokic and his Denver Nuggets used a combination of length and skill to dispose of the Miami Heat in a gentleman’s sweep.

Can the 2023-24 Warriors contend with the size of other powerhouse teams in the league? Of the 16 players currently on Golden State’s roster, only five stand 6-foot-8 or taller. This list includes Usman Garuba, who’s on a two-way contract; and Trayce-Jackson Davis, who was wearing an Indiana Hoosiers jersey just seven months ago.

As presently constructed, the Warriors’ small-ish lineup might put them in a tough spot in the playoffs, especially when they battle matchup nightmares like Jokic (who happens to be the reigning Finals MVP), Anthony Davis, and Kevin Durant.

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