How the Warriors Can Stay Afloat Without Stephen Curry

The Golden State Warriors strolled into Toronto, Canada amidst a three game losing streak. Tough losses to the No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks, losing their captain Stephen Curry in Indiana and being unable to stop Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid had the Warriors on their heels.

The pressure was on to perform on the road — and with their struggles well documented, fans wondered how the Warriors could stay afloat without their leader.

Enter guard Jordan Poole.

Poole poured in a career high of 43 points and looked like a player the Warriors paid $120 million in October.

Warriors forward Draymond Green and guard Klay Thompson both had 17 points. Green cashed in three 3-pointers and Thompson had an efficient game, going 6-for-14 from the field. Warriors center Kevon Looney had an outstanding game as well with 11 points and 11 rebounds and the Warriors defeated the Toronto Raptors 126-110.

“Jordan [Poole] had a lot of good games for us,” Head Coach Steve Kerr said. “He was great on both ends. I thought he was patient offensively. He just set the tone and carried us.”

Though the Warriors lost to the New York Knicks on Dec. 20, the Warriors found some success as they await the return of their superstar.

Jordan Poole’s Progression

Heading into the 2022-23 NBA season, Poole was carrying a lot of expectations to perform. As the Warriors were still adjusting to the new roster, Poole struggled and did not look like himself.

Teams scouted Poole better and Poole was no longer the Warriors secret weapon.

“How people are guarding Steph in the first unit is how they’re guarding me in the second unit,” Poole said. “When we’re not on the court together, I get the same coverage he gets.”

Poole is averaging 19 points and 4.6 assists a game while shooting 43.6% from the field, according to ESPN. While those numbers aren’t terrible, the jump and consistent production from Poole wasn’t what the Warriors were expecting at the start of the season.

One could question if “the punch” from Green affected Poole mentally. While Poole and Green made up from the conflict, the team chemistry is just not the same.

Poole has had games where he was passive and was overthinking on offense.

In a game versus the Sacramento Kings on Nov. 7, Poole only took four shots and didn’t make a 3-pointer. In the 116-113 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 29, Poole was three-for-nine from the field and only had nine points.

But, with Curry out indefinitely, this puts Poole in a familiar situation where he would carry the burden of the offense. Poole has the capability of carrying the team, but with teams honing in on what makes him special, Poole has to be ready to take on the challenge both mentally and physically.

Klay Thompson’s Shooting

In his prime, Thompson was regarded as the second best 3-point shooter in the game next to his splash brother. Thompson’s quick release and 6’7” frame makes it impossible for defenders to guard, and while Thompson is slowly working himself into form, Thompson has a couple of instances of rushing his shots early in the season.

It seemed like Thompson’s old habits creeped up on him again in the matchup versus the 76ers. Thompson had 12 points but shot a dreadful 4-for-17 from the field.

Additionally, in the loss versus the Knicks, Thompson struggled and finished with 11 points on 5-for-12 shooting. Without consistent production from Thompson, the Warriors offense suffered and the team took a heavy hit versus the Knicks.

Fans could tell that Thompson desperately wants to return to his pre-injury form and prove that he still has what it takes.

“I feel like I deserve more credit for battling through all that injury s---,” Thompson said. “I helped a team win a championship last year, and people still want to discredit what you do.”

There’s no doubt Thompson was a key component in the Warriors championship run last season. In the 32 games he played, Thompson averaged 20.4 points and shot 42.9% from the field, which was right around his career averages, according to ESPN.

In preparation for the upcoming title defense, Thompson said he spent most of the offseason relaxing and celebrating the championship.

“I didn’t play a lot this summer. It was hard to,” Thompson said. “Especially what I went through last summer, popping my Achilles. It was really hard to get out there. Just mentally, it was hard.”

This resulted in Thompson not working out as much, but ESPN’s First Take Stephen A Smith criticized Thompson’s offseason.

“I’m going to tell you what I think the problem is,” Smith said. “I think there’s been a mistake in his offseason regimen. What he talked about barely touching a basketball and just barely working out and trying to get himself healthy, I think that was a mistake.”

Thompson heard the criticism and has been working himself back into shape — as the win over the Raptors proved that.

As the Warriors look towards finishing the road trip in Brooklyn and the Christmas Day matchup versus the Memphis Grizzlies, the Warriors hope to rely on Poole and Thompson offensively while waiting on Curry’s return.

(photo credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty)