23-24 NBA Season： Dallas Mavericks 132 vs. Golden State Warriors 122 - How would you evaluate this game?

True Point Guard: 22 points + 23 assists, the number of assists is almost catching up with the “point guard” next door’s scoring number…

Oh right, in the last game, Haliburton’s number of assists was more than the “true point guard’s” total of points and assists combined…

Warriors' Season Outlook and Trade Rumors

During the offseason, the Warriors' owner insisted that the core lineup with Curry, Thompson, and Green still had championship potential. However, after playing a third of the season, the Warriors' more realistic target might now be qualifying for the play-in tournament.

Given such performance, the team should be thankful for Paul leading a group of rookies to play above contract levels. With the highest payroll in the league, the Warriors' current performance is definitely not meeting the owner’s expectations.

Recently, rumors have started to circulate about the Warriors considering trading Andrew Wiggins and promoting Jordan Poole. This may not just be a rumor considering the Warriors' current salary cap situation. They don’t have much room for improvement; Curry is untouchable as the team’s soul, Green is untradeable, and Thompson, given his current performance, lacks trade value and his contract is expiring next summer. Wiggins is at an ideal age, with a reasonable contract and high trade value.

If the Warriors fail to make the playoffs this year, it might be better for them to rebuild directly. They could let Thompson and Paul walk next summer, trade Wiggins, save salary, and allow the current young players to gain more playing time and develop, which might be more promising for the future.

Warriors' Strategic Dilemma and Season Struggles

The Warriors lost the games against the Nuggets and the Heat, and after reviewing the footage and considering the recent game against the Mavericks, a significant reason is Curry’s shooting slump, which seems tied to Draymond Green’s suspension. Curry has lost his “shooting metronome”—Green.

For a shooter, excellent shooting rhythm is like the start button for perfect accuracy. It reminds me of watching my cousin smoothly execute combo moves in arcade games during our childhood. He told me that the timing of each move was crucial, not too fast nor too slow. This is similar to the sense of rhythm and feel in basketball.

Curry and Green have played together for many years, developing a unique rhythm and understanding. Curry’s shooting dips have coincided with changes in his shooting mechanics or Green’s absence, which disrupts this rhythm. As the season progresses and fatigue sets in, each rhythm disruption can lead to missed shots, creating a cycle of urgency and error.

Klay Thompson faces a similar issue post-injury, with reduced explosive power affecting his shooting rhythm.

But the question is, can the Warriors rely solely on the Curry+Green duo indefinitely? Or more bluntly, can the Warriors still believe in a nearly 36-year-old Curry as the sole core for championship contention? Their surrounding all-stars, while intimidating, are not reliably performing at an all-star level due to age, injuries, and mentality.

Post-championship, the Warriors have faced a contradiction between veterans and newcomers. Now, they are caught between several playing styles and rosters. They have enough players for almost three competitive lineups, including:

• Curry and Green’s cut and pass system;
• A pick-and-roll centered around Paul and Saric;
• A need for younger players like Poole and Davis to run and grow in an open space.

The veterans have secured four championships, but this season, Paul has frequently carried the bench, and the rookies are clearly more energetic and ambitious. For coach Steve Kerr and the management, juggling these conflicting strategies is challenging.

The key question is whether the Warriors still believe in the competitiveness of the Curry and Thompson core. The team’s stance seems indecisive, fluctuating between belief and doubt.

This contrasts sharply with the Mavericks, who remain committed to Luka Dončić through ups and downs, not wavering in their approach, which, while not championship-winning yet, is clear and determined.

Despite the Warriors' desire to win, no current strategy or lineup is among the league’s top tier. So today, Kerr tried mixing it up with a lineup that fans have longed to see, including Poole and Wiggins, along with Paul, Curry, and the more charismatic Davis. While competitive, this lineup lacks cohesion and struggles against teams like the Mavericks, who are firing on all cylinders.

The Warriors might be the most confused team right now, leaving fans just as perplexed. Other teams are clear in their objectives: some aim for championships, some rebuild, some prepare for future contention, and some pivot around their stars. Meanwhile, teams like the Lakers, Clippers, and Suns at least have a collective warmth and direction.

But the Warriors seem stuck, hesitating and unsure of the path forward amidst their past success and current challenges.

During lunchtime, the Lakers and Warriors both lost. Let’s go, Wuhan~

The Warriors' Struggles in the NBA Season

I have no expectations for the Warriors' games anymore, so I don’t pay much attention. A team with five All-Stars is now on the verge of the play-in tournament, and there’s not much to look forward to.

After a five-game winning streak, Curry completely lost his touch, scoring only thirteen points in the last game. The problem is that thirteen points is still the highest individual score on the team, highlighting how struggling their offense has become. Curry’s thirteen points make him the team’s scoring leader for that game. The other Warriors players seem to have become quite modest over the years!

Losing to the Mavericks today was expected. In the past, they could come from behind to win thanks to Curry’s superhuman performance, but in these recent games, with Curry missing his shots and the team lacking the gravity of Klay Thompson, the Warriors no longer have the ability to compete with any strong teams. This season, they will likely remain on the playoff play-in tournament bubble. Don’t be surprised if the Warriors are left out of the playoffs, as many young Western Conference teams like the Timberwolves, Thunder, Nuggets, and Clippers have been improving over the years and are securing the top four spots.

The fifth to eighth playoff spots in the West will likely include the Kings, who are steady if unspectacular, and the Suns. The remaining two spots will be contested by the Lakers, the struggling Warriors, the young Rockets, Pelicans, and the Mavericks. The Mavericks are likely to fall behind in the late season, the Pelicans have injury issues with their key players and lack late-season strength. They might be the first to fall out of contention.

The Rockets have had a decent season so far, but they will probably not be able to compete with the Lakers and the Warriors in the late season. I believe the Lakers and the Warriors will secure the final two playoff spots.

Lakers and Warriors Near Play-In Zone: Experimenting with Lineups

Two popular NBA teams suffered losses today as the Lakers fell short 106-108 against the Timberwolves, while the Warriors lost 122-132 to the Mavericks led by a single star player, Luka Dončić, marking their third consecutive loss.

Currently, the Lakers stand at 17 wins and 16 losses, ranking 9th in the Western Conference, while the Warriors have 15 wins and 17 losses, placing them at 11th.

Interestingly, both the Lakers and the Warriors are yet to determine their reliable starting lineups and are still experimenting with their rosters.

The Lakers' “Five Forward Lineup” by Coach Vogel:

With Anthony Davis back in action, Coach Vogel opted for the five-forward lineup, featuring LeBron James, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Anthony Davis, DeAndre Jordan, and Carmelo Anthony.

This lineup has clear advantages and disadvantages. On the positive side, it offers strong defense and physicality. However, it lacks three-point shooting threats with none of the players excelling in that department, resulting in poor offensive spacing.

Opponents facing this lineup can easily focus their defense inside and protect the paint, especially against teams with strong inside presence like the Timberwolves with Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert.

While the game against the Timberwolves was a close one, with the Lakers losing by just 2 points, their problems are evident. The starting lineup struggles with offensive spacing, and the bench unit faces defensive issues.

The defensive strength of the Five Forward Lineup is undeniable, as it held the Timberwolves to just 6 points in the first half of the first quarter. However, when the rotations come into play, opponents like the Timberwolves took advantage during the minutes when Rives and Russell shared the court.

The Timberwolves struggled to contain LeBron James and Anthony Davis, with Davis scoring 17 points and grabbing 8 rebounds in the first quarter alone. However, the Timberwolves effectively limited scoring from other Lakers players. By the end of the game, only LeBron James and Anthony Davis had double-digit scoring, highlighting the team’s offensive struggles beyond its star duo.

While the Lakers can stay competitive due to their defense, they face difficulties making comebacks when they fall behind, primarily due to their current offensive limitations.

The bench players, Russell and Reeves, failed to perform as expected against the opponent’s bench unit. In this game, both players had subpar performances, with Reeves suffering an injury and leaving the game early.

Coach Vogel’s strategy seems to be relying on the starters to play strong defense and keep the score close initially, relying on LeBron James and Anthony Davis for offense. Then, during the rotation phase, take advantage of the few starting-level players they have to extend the lead, following the “Triumph of Suasion” strategy.

The Lakers' starting lineup manages to keep the game competitive, but the bench unit struggles to build leads. When both Reeves and Russell are on the court, their defensive weaknesses are exposed on the perimeter.

Considering the current situation, the Lakers may have to rely on trades to address their issues.

Steve Kerr’s “Three-Guard Lineup”:

The Warriors made significant changes to their starting lineup today, featuring Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, Klay Thompson, Jonathan Kuminga, and Theon Dozwa. The inclusion of Dozwa over Luni can be understood as Dozwa brings better athleticism and scoring ability.

However, this lineup has clear drawbacks, such as a smaller backcourt with no primary defender to match up against Luka Dončić, who excels in pick-and-roll plays. Dončić has numerous options to exploit, be it Paul, Curry, or Thompson, and the Warriors could only resort to double-teaming, which Dončić handles well.

Previously known for their defensive prowess and fast breaks, the current Warriors struggle on both ends of the floor. Despite Chris Paul’s impressive performance, shooting 9 out of 14 and making 6 out of 9 three-pointers to score a career-high of 24 points, and with strong contributions from Jonathan Kuminga and Jordan Poole, the Warriors couldn’t overcome their star players, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, having off nights.

The Mavericks' defense isn’t top-tier, but their offensive efficiency ranks 8th in the league. When both Curry and Thompson struggle to score, it becomes challenging for the Warriors to secure victories. They are no longer the elite defensive team they once were.

After the game, Stephen Curry expressed, “We’re experimenting with a lot of lineups. Some out of necessity, some to find ourselves and our strengths. But we haven’t found it yet. So, it’s frustrating. We have to find it before it’s too late.”

With Peyton II back in the mix, Kerr’s lineup experimentation might need more adjustments or even a trade.

Remove Thompson, Curry, and Green, let Paul lead with Saric and the rookie, I reckon we could still make the playoffs.

Warriors vs. Mavericks Game Analysis

In the second quarter, with 6 minutes and 30 seconds left, even through the screen, you could feel the Warriors' team’s frustration and the desire to give up. Coach Kerr made changes to the starting lineup, and the team came out aggressively, but it almost backfired.

1. Lack of defensive leadership led to a significant decline in overall quality. Draymond Green, as the defensive anchor and glue of the Warriors, was sorely missed. Without his direction, the Warriors' defense resembled a sieve.

2. Chris Paul has given his best, and it deserves respect.

3. Once, I had high hopes for Kuminga, thinking he could develop into the Warriors' Leonard. However, based on recent comments and today’s performance, it seems unlikely. His overall basketball IQ is not as high as expected (NBA average), and his progress in utilizing his physique, refining his skills, and developing long-range shooting has been slower than anticipated.

4. Klay Thompson may need to accept a role as a bench player. It’s possible he could perform better in that capacity.

5. It’s time for the Warriors to consider making trades. Continuing with the current lineup will only worsen the team’s morale.

On the Mavericks' side, all I can say is that if Luka Dončić doesn’t win a championship and MVP in his career, it won’t be his fault. He’s just too strong, excelling in one-on-one play, passing, anticipation, understanding of the game, and dissecting defenses. With a single step by a Warriors player, he knew they were trying to double-team him, resulting in an easy basket underneath. His desire for victory was evident in the fourth quarter when he made an incredible diving save.

1. The arrival of Kristaps Porziņģis has further unleashed Luka’s threat, and it has greatly strengthened the Mavericks' rim protection.

2. Tim Hardaway Jr. is indeed an excellent secondary scorer.

3. The Mavericks still need a conductor for the second unit. Adding a veteran focused on organization could further improve their win rate.

4. Although the Mavericks are known for their offense, their defensive attitude is solid. In the fourth quarter, they consistently challenged Stephen Curry’s long-range attempts after the buzzer, denying the opponent any chance to adjust the trajectory. This defensive mindset throughout the game has been a significant factor in the Mavericks' defensive improvement.

Warriors and Curry at a Crossroads

The Warriors, as well as Stephen Curry, find themselves at a very awkward crossroads.

This crossroads presents many possibilities, but all of the paths ahead seem challenging.

Whether it’s the hefty luxury tax or the current playing style, the Warriors still hope to capture another championship ring.

However, the team’s lineup is currently quite unbalanced, and several key players are in poor form. Add to that the internal turmoil within the team’s ownership when the general manager resigned, and it becomes uncertain for the Warriors this season.

During a recent interview, Curry mentioned that the team doesn’t have a stable starting five, which is a frustrating situation. This dilemma revolves around how Coach Steve Kerr utilizes his players.

Previously, I have written that Kerr is not necessarily a legendary coach when it comes to in-game decisions, often falling short of coaches like Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich. However, the Warriors' roster has had a superlative advantage, which has often masked this flaw.

When Kerr has a limited hand to play, he seems to struggle, and this disarray trickles down through the team. In reality, if the Warriors had adhered to Curry’s system and allowed Paul to lead the second unit, perhaps they wouldn’t be in this predicament.

Most of the Warriors' starting players have struggled this season. Klay Thompson has had a slow return after more than twenty games, Curry’s performance has plummeted after Christmas, Andrew Wiggins seems to lack the desire to play this season, and Draymond Green’s impact has dwindled.

It’s unclear what has caused this collective slump, but when the entire team is underperforming, it suggests there may be issues beyond just player performance, possibly involving the management.

Before the season started, I strongly advocated for the Warriors to trade Paul, primarily because of his height. He’s undersized, especially alongside Curry, who is already a small guard, and Green, who is also relatively short for a power forward. How can they compete?

However, it turns out that Paul has excelled as a bench player, and the second unit has thrived with him.

On the other hand, following Christmas, Luka Dončić and the Mavericks have transformed. Dončić, in particular, seems like a different player, and the entire team has changed its demeanor.

But even with these improvements, the Mavericks' roster, on paper, still lacks the championship-contending power, which puts Dončić in an awkward position.

In summary, it’s unclear what happened to the Warriors after Christmas, but their current situation is not just about losing games. Losing games is now a minor issue; the key problem is that the entire team is out of form.

As this season draws to a close, Dončić is also at a crossroads in his career. He must decide whether to continue believing in his teammates or explore other options to achieve success.

NBA Regular Season: Warriors vs. Mavericks

On December 31st, in a crucial NBA regular-season matchup, the Golden State Warriors faced off against the Dallas Mavericks. Both teams, which reached the Western Conference Finals in the summer of 2022, have been struggling this season. The Warriors started with a record of 15 wins and 16 losses, ranking 11th in the Western Conference, while the Mavericks had 18 wins and 14 losses, placing them 6th in the West.

The Warriors have faced numerous issues this season. Their roster lacks height, and the team has an aging core. Stephen Curry’s form has been inconsistent, often alternating with Klay Thompson’s struggles. With Draymond Green suspended indefinitely, Jonathan Kuminga and Boban Marjanović have been inserted into the starting lineup, leading to internal conflicts. Kuminga has expressed a desire for a more significant role and playing time, even publicly expressing frustration. Andrew Wiggins is rumored to be on the trading block due to these issues.

Additionally, although Boban Marjanović’s statistics have been decent, his ball-sticking tendencies have been seen as a hindrance to Curry. The contract of Coach Steve Kerr and the Warriors expires in July, and according to reports, Curry has been keen on having Kerr as the head coach. Kerr, in turn, wishes to accompany Curry for the remainder of his career, creating a complex situation for the Warriors.

On the Mavericks' side, they have faced challenges with Kristaps Porziņģis sidelined due to an Achilles injury. Luka Dončić has had to carry a heavy offensive load, averaging 33.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game this season, similar to James Harden during his Rockets days. The Mavericks heavily rely on Dončić, and their success often hinges on his performance.

In addition, there’s good news for the Mavericks, as Kyrie Irving’s status has upgraded to a small probability of playing after more than 20 days of rest. He is gradually increasing his training intensity and is expected to return to the team in early January.

As for the game itself, the starting lineups featured Luka Dončić, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dorian Finney-Smith, Brandon Knight, and Dwight Powell for the Mavericks, while the Warriors made a surprising change with Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, Klay Thompson, Jonathan Kuminga, and Anthony Davis. Unexpectedly, the player with the highest defensive rating in this lineup was Chris Paul.

The Mavericks took control early in the game, with Paul feeding Davis for a powerful dunk, Curry assisting Kuminga with a basket, and the Mavericks' Josh Green and Maxi Kleber responding with 4 points. Dončić continuously attacked Davis, forcing Coach Kerr to substitute him out. The Mavericks led 34-26 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Jonathan Kuminga’s turnaround shot and Paul’s three-pointer quickly narrowed the gap for the Warriors. However, the Warriors' defense was porous, with Green and Finney-Smith taking advantage of open three-point opportunities to extend the Mavericks' lead to 16 points. In a critical moment, Curry finally made a three-pointer to stop the bleeding, followed by Peyton and Boban Marjanović scoring inside, as well as Wiggins contributing with a 12-0 run.

The second half saw the Mavericks maintain their lead, with Kuminga making consecutive impactful plays. Although Curry seized a three-point opportunity, Dončić responded with a mid-range jumper. In the later stages, the Mavericks pulled away further, with Jalen Green and Dorian Finney-Smith hitting consecutive three-pointers. Curry managed to score, but the Mavericks continued to increase their lead.

At the end of the third quarter, the Mavericks led 101-89. In the fourth quarter, Saric made a three-pointer, and the Mavericks continued to attack inside and outside. Paul hit a mid-range shot, and Curry seized another three-point opportunity, but Dončić and Hardaway Jr. responded with baskets. Paul hit a three-pointer, achieving a career milestone of 22,000 points.

In the middle of the fourth quarter, Dončić continued to score inside and outside, forcing the Warriors to make substitutions. Josh Green and Dwight Powell then extended the Mavericks' lead by 16 points. In a crucial moment, Boban Marjanović made two three-pointers to keep the game interesting.

At the end of the game, the Warriors fell to the Mavericks with a score of 122-132. Luka Dončić led the Mavericks with 39 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Josh Green scored 18 points. For the Warriors, Stephen Curry scored 25 points and had 7 assists, while Chris Paul contributed 24 points and 6 assists. Anthony Davis had 17 points and 6 rebounds, and Boban Marjanović scored 13 points with 9 rebounds and 4 assists.

Had Curry and Klay made a few more shots, the game’s outcome might have been different, but both struggled. Nonetheless, Paul put up a valiant effort.

The Splash Brothers lost their three-point skills package, Coach Kerr lost his tactical board, and the Warriors lost their spirit…

The bad news is that the Warriors have lost three games in a row again, but the good news is that the Lakers also lost.

The Lakers, Suns, and Warriors, the three big teams, with the Warriors falling behind in this race.

Warriors Struggle with Multiple Challenges in Recent Losses

In the recent losses, Stephen Curry has taken the blame as the primary culprit. His shooting accuracy, response in critical moments, and the lack of support from teammates when he’s singled out have made him a vulnerable point for opponents. During this period, he has performed at an average level compared to his superstar standards, and considering the Warriors heavily rely on his offense, he needs to reach a superstar level to carry the team. However, it’s likely just a temporary setback, and it’s not time to despair yet.

Apart from Curry’s underperformance, the team’s offensive tactics haven’t been a failure. The assist numbers have surpassed those of teams with ball-dominant stars. Andrew Wiggins has stepped up as the second scorer, and six players scored in double figures. Both Jordan Poole and Jonathan Kuminga have shown impressive shooting percentages, with Poole contributing well to the organization of the offense for a period, and Kuminga even outperforming Draymond Green in some aspects.

Ultimately, the losses can be attributed to defensive issues. Draymond Green’s absence has left a significant gap in defensive focus, and the drop in shooting accuracy by opponents inside the paint, especially in the fourth quarter, has been concerning. Furthermore, the rotations on the front line have been impressive, applying pressure on players like Wiggins, Kuminga, and Curry when they attempt to drive. The Warriors have stuck to their usual strategy of collapsing defense after losing Green, but players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and a hot-shooting opponent exploited this, especially in the third quarter. Additionally, Gary Payton II, who hasn’t seen much playing time recently, made some questionable decisions, including fouling three-point shooters repeatedly.

When the Warriors were forced to extend their defense, Antetokounmpo adapted by either shooting over his defender, switching to a matchup with Kuminga and using his footwork, or collaborating with teammates like LaMelo Ball for inside-out plays. This exposed the flaws in the Warriors' defensive system. Coach Steve Kerr made multiple adjustments to handle Antetokounmpo, but the impact was minimal, a role that would have been previously occupied by Andrew Wiggins. The difference from last year is that Wiggins is now struggling in one-on-one defense, as evidenced by his recent matchup against Nikola Jokic.

With no defensive leader on the perimeter, the absence of a defensive genius in the interior (Draymond Green), inconsistent performances by Andrew Wiggins, a sporadically effective Stephen Curry, and uninspiring tactical choices by Coach Kerr, the recent losses are not entirely unexpected.

Contrasting Fortunes: Luka Dončić’s Brilliance and the Warriors' Challenges

I was only able to catch the final quarter of this game due to my busy schedule writing my graduation thesis, but just those 12 minutes revealed the stark contrast and issues faced by both teams.

Let’s start with Luka Dončić. He has continued to improve this season, with his impact on the game extending beyond offense and energizing the entire team. His defensive contributions and leadership on the court are commendable. The play where he snatched the ball from Stephen Curry’s hands at the sideline and saved it to a teammate was simply breathtaking, though I regret not capturing it on camera.

With Dončić’s growth as a player and leader, it’s safe to predict that he will make his first NBA Finals appearance within the next 3-4 seasons and secure at least one Regular Season MVP. I would even venture to say that he has a good chance of winning back-to-back MVP awards during his peak years, becoming one of those rare players who achieves MVP honors three times in four years while also being a three-time scoring champion. The upcoming Paris Olympics will provide him with an excellent opportunity to further develop his skills and silence any criticism regarding his work ethic and physique. The future looks incredibly bright for this young talent.

On the other hand, the Warriors, a team that has been among the league’s elite for a long time, have always given the impression that no matter how they perform in one game, they can bounce back and secure a victory in the next, even if it’s against the league’s top team. Warriors fans never lose faith in their team.

However, in today’s game, with Klay Thompson’s sluggish performance, Draymond Green’s absence, and Andrew Wiggins' inability to reach his usual 18+ points and defensive standards, disappointment has crept into the hearts of Warriors fans. If it weren’t for Paul’s consistent contributions and Stephen Curry’s steady performance, the Dallas Mavericks could have wrapped up the game much earlier.

The current situation is as follows: the Warriors had slowly found their winning rhythm during a recent five-game winning streak, with Thompson and Wiggins showing signs of improvement. However, their recent three-game losing streak has brought them back down. It’s clear that Wiggins and Thompson are facing mental challenges that need urgent resolution. If not addressed, it could spell the end of their careers, as continuing to play in such a state will only bring more suffering.

For the Warriors to experience a “third spring” (I won’t mention the second one, as they already returned to the peak in 2022), it’s essential for Thompson and Wiggins to regain their form, but it’s equally crucial for Draymond Green to return. The Golden State Warriors are not a complete team without him. His absence leads to a lack of defensive variety and toughness, making the offense predictable. Whenever Curry ignites the crowd with his three-pointers, Green serves as the last line of defense, preventing opponents from scoring and initiating fast breaks. Therefore, the team can’t afford to be without him.

The indefinite suspension imposed by the league is incomprehensible and has effectively sentenced the Warriors to a challenging season. It’s a clear attempt to suppress the Warriors and their overall morale.

I don’t believe Draymond Green needs the psychological treatment suggested by the league. After receiving advice from Kobe Bryant, he has already come to terms with these issues. As Kobe once said, he is pursuing something that 99% of people won’t understand, and those who are content with mediocrity and refuse to step out of their comfort zones should not be the measure of his success. Green’s personality has become a scapegoat for the league’s efforts to hinder the Warriors. The team needs him on their path to recovery, and he shouldn’t have to “control his behavior on the court” because he accepted a form of therapy that only fools would embrace.

Regarding this game, these are my heartfelt thoughts. I genuinely hope that the Warriors' “Splash Brothers” can continue their journey for several more seasons, achieving success before rising young talents like Luka Dončić and Trae Young fully take over. As for Ja Morant, I’d like to remind him, no matter if it’s on the court or in front of a camera, to keep his distance from sharp objects. Whether they are on a battlefield or a phone screen, safety should always come first!

I wonder what Warriors fans are thinking when they watch the current Warriors' games. Are they hoping for Klay to bring them good luck?