NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Golden State Warriors made an unexpected move when they agreed to trade Jordan Poole to the Washington Wizards for Chris Paul. This is a significant move for the Warriors as we finally get to see what Stephen Curry is like off the ball. This will be scary.
Since arriving in the NBA, Curry has been labeled a PG, when in fact, he’s more suited for the SG position. During his career, Curry has never been much of a facilitator as that role has fallen to Draymond Green. For his career, Curry has averaged a modest 6.5 assists, but now with Paul possibly running the show, Curry is free to do exactly what fans have come to see him do—shoot. And that alone will be a problem for all opponents.
Curry is a career 42.8 percenter shooter from deep and that’s mainly after bringing the ball up or on the break releasing one of his signature shots from 30+ feet. What happens now when he’s coming off screens or not using so much energy fighting off traps at halfcourt?
With Paul, even at the age of 38, he’s coming off another great year of being the director of the Phoenix Suns attack where he averaged 8.9 assists while posting 13.9 points per game. While Paul has played with some exceptional talent over the years, he’s never had a backcourt mate quite like Curry. Yes, he teamed up with James Harden in Houston but Harden is no Curry.
To make things, even more, deadlier, it’s not just Curry. Paul will be throwing assists to Klay Thompson as well. But this is all contingent on if Steve Kerr elects to start Paul. I can’t see why he would bring Paul off the bench. Even with Poole gone and the second unit in need of perimeter scoring, Paul does not fit that mold anymore. How will defenses handle a Paul, Curry, and Thompson trio in a halfcourt set?
Last season, Curry attempted 639 shots from deep and nailed 273 in 56 games. Yes, he has the handles to create his own shot but think about the energy it takes to do so. Now, Kerr can devise an offensive scheme that will be reminiscent of the Run TMC days with Mitch Richmond, Chris Mullin, and Tim Hardaway.
Can The Golden State Warriors Win With Chris Paul
The offense of the Golden State Warriors will be fun to watch. But there is an issue here to watch out for as well. As good as they can be, the Warriors did not get any younger. Paul is 38, Curry is 34, and Thompson is 33. Over the last two seasons, the newly from trio has missed a total of 106 combined games. If they can stay healthy (that’s a big if) this will be a thing of beauty.
On the flip side of that is still on the defensive end. The three of them are not great defenders. Curry is a liability and so is Paul. Thompson has his moments but opposing backcourts may have their way at times, especially the younger teams like the Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies.
No matter their shortcomings, the 2023-24 Golden State Warriors will rely more on the perimeter game than ever before. Stephen Curry could have a breakout year and that’s really saying something when you look over his resume. His best year was in 2021 when he averaged 32.0 points per game.
The Warriors will not need Paul to score 20 points but getting close to 15 is vital to the team’s success. If they can bring back Green, that would make Paul’s job a bit easier. While Kerr will still need to find offense from the second unit, it does the team no good to have Paul come off the bench.
As great as Curry has been, he will be even better. Even at his age and with his usage, Curry has not shown any signs of slowing down. Now, with the ball out of his hands, he really has the green light to do whatever he wants to do.
