Following the Warriors’ recent victory against Phoenix on Monday, marking their fifth consecutive win—a streak they failed to achieve throughout last season—Stephen Curry was questioned about what sets this year’s team apart from the squad that only secured 37 wins last year.
Curry humorously highlighted rookie Yaxel Lendeborg’s remarkable start, along with Brandin Podziemski’s improvement and the valuable contributions from Brandon Williams off the bench, providing skills the Warriors haven’t seen in a while. He acknowledged the impressive individual performances from various players but emphasized that collectively, the team is more meticulous and mindful of the finer points of their strategy this season, rather than relying solely on the legacy style of play that brought them past success.
Though Curry didn’t specify these “details” the team focuses on, the Warriors’ overall play style appears statistically similar to before—they maintain their pace, three-point attempts, and turnovers, while lacking in size, youth, and athleticism. Their defensive rating remains nearly unchanged, placing them in the bottom 10 currently, with consistent use of pick-and-roll, spot-up, transition, and isolation plays per Synergy data.
In essence, the Warriors are sticking to what they know but are executing at a higher level, which has propelled them 15 spots up to a top-10 ranking in the latest NBA Power Rankings. Here are three reasons behind this resurgence:
Curry’s MVP-Caliber Performance
Curry is showing no signs of decline, posting an impressive average of 30 points per game in under 29 minutes, a feat matched only by Luka Dončić among players with 100+ minutes played. According to Cleaning the Glass, Curry’s scoring efficiency per 100 shot attempts is currently the best of his career. Taking over 10 three-pointers per game at a 43% success rate, he only recently missed his first free throw after a 51-shot streak to start the season. Beyond Curry’s excellence, the return of a genuine co-star in rookie Lendeborg has revitalized the team’s offensive dynamics.Yaxel Lendeborg’s Impact
Though expectations pegged Golden State as a lottery team, Lendeborg has breathed new life into a squad many had written off. He joins Larry Bird as the only rookies to reach at least 100 points, 40 rebounds, and 20 assists in their first five games. Moreover, he becomes only the third Warrior after Wilt Chamberlain and Rick Barry to average over 20 PPG in his first seven career games. His recent 37-point, 5-assist game on 85% true shooting places him among elite rookie performances. Lendeborg provides the Warriors a credible go-to option when Curry sits and significantly alleviates Curry’s creative load, currently standing out as the most efficient isolation scorer in the league.Brandin Podziemski’s Role
Despite some criticism from fans, Podziemski has consistently contributed to winning outcomes since his rookie year, evident by the Warriors outscoring opponents by 50 points when he’s on the floor this season. Especially with Butler sidelined and before Lendeborg’s rise, Podziemski was the only player besides Curry able to apply substantial pressure inside the paint. This year, he’s reached career-best averages across points, assists, and rebounds, knitting well with the core lineup. The Warriors now boast three to four players capable of dismantling opposing defenses nightly, supported by valuable role players including Georges Niang, Gui Santos, and others who boost the team’s offensive efficiency.
Following this overview, the article presents the full NBA Power Rankings, highlighting the teams with the biggest movement up or down, as well as notes on their performance metrics, key players, and injury updates.
Fan Take:
This surge from the Warriors, fueled by the unlikely breakout of rookie Yaxel Lendeborg and the steady brilliance of Curry, signals a thrilling new chapter for the franchise and its fans. For basketball enthusiasts, this development showcases how fresh talent combined with seasoned leadership can redefine team dynamics and keep the game exciting, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and depth in today’s NBA.
Source: www.cbssports.com
