– This season has been a disaster in many ways, basketball expert Frederik Gnatt told NRK.
The Golden State Warriors have won the NBA three times in the last five seasons.
The team has hosted star players such as Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green.
CHEER: The Golden State Warriors celebrate their 2018 NBA playoff victory.
Photo: Justin K. Aller / AFP
But now the reality is different:
With five wins and 21 losses, the California team is the worst in the NBA.
How could this happen?
Decisive moment
October 30, 2019. The Golden State Warriors will play on the road against the Phoenix Suns. The San Francisco team was struggling and trailed by nearly 30 points in the third quarter.
What was once a bad day for GSW would turn into a disaster:
The world’s best point guard, Stephen Curry, dribbles forward and towards the basket.
He leapt towards two defenders – but he didn’t reach far and slid to the ground.
Acutely, she writhed in pain and clung to his arm.
MISSING THE BEST: Without Stephen Curry on the court, the Golden State Warriors are having a tough time.
Photo: Kyle Terada/Reuters
“Steph” Curry is a three-time NBA champion, twice selected Most Valuable Player and a six-time NBA “All-Star”.
But on this day, one of the undisputed members of the team broke his arm and was out for several months.
– One player has a lot to say, and if you lose a few times, it means a lot, said Gnatt.
Suddenly things looked a lot worse for the world’s best basketball team, but the decline had already started last season.
– Not good enough for the NBA
Curry’s injury wasn’t the only reason for the San Francisco team’s downfall. Several key players have been – and are – injured.
In the final game of June, Klay Thompson suffered a ligament injury.
It was another defining moment for GSW, as the star player will likely be out for the entire season.
LAST HIT: In the playoff final between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors, Klay Thompson suffered a serious injury. The Raptors ended up winning the final game 4-2.
Photo: Kyle Terada/Reuters
This year, the team is also without stars like Kevin Durant and Andre Iguodala, who disappeared from the club before the season started.
Durant in particular was a big mistake, according to the basketball expert.
– Durant, Thompson and Curry. “When you’re suddenly without three players who are among the best in the entire NBA, there are very few teams that can succeed,” Gnatt said.
DREAM DUO: Kevin Durant (right) and Stephen Curry (th) had some great years together on the Golden State Warriors.
Photo: Sue Ogrocki/AP
Additionally, key players like D’Angelo Russell, Kevon Looney and Draymond Green have also struggled with injuries.
– The team that was relegated was said to be not good enough to be in the NBA. There are several first-year players, and they are not among the greatest talents either, the expert said.
A tactical game
According to Gnatt, the Golden State Warriors’ season is almost over.
The basketball expert believes that his team is now only thinking about the future for next season.
– That’s the paradox of American sports: If you want to be bad first, you can get really bad. Now they could be the worst team in the NBA.
Reason why? If you are the worst team, that can give you an advantage when the team has to make player selections and substitutions. The chances of being the first increase.
IMPRESSED: First-year player Eric Paschall was one of the new and young players to excel for the Golden State Warriors this year.
Photo: Streeter Lecka / AFP
– If you get the first, second or third pick in the “draft”, it has enormous value, says Gnatt.
He believes the team is now deliberately retaining players like Thompson and Curry so they can perform 100 percent next year.
– I think they’re gearing up for next season, where I think, funnily enough, they’re going to be the best team in the NBA again.
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