Something clearly isn’t jelling with reigning champs Golden State as they struggle to even maintain a playoff spot this season.
Granted, the roster has changed a bit since last year’s title and some players didn’t work out like the team had hoped, (ie James Wiseman) but they still have four-time champions Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
The trio have publicly stated their desire to win a fifth championship before their imminent retirements but are causing a rift between themselves and the younger playing group.
“We’ve gotten to the point where it’s like, Steph, Draymond, and Klay Thompson, like, they’ve become hard to play with,” 95.7 The Game’s Matt Steinmetz said. “It’s hard to play with them, because they’re so demanding. And they’re so, I’ll say it, judgmental. And you know what they also have been? They’ve been exclusive this year. That’s what their championship veterans have been.
“They have been exclusive. They have not included the young players like great leaders would. They put up a line between themselves and the young players, as opposed to acknowledging their young players and trying to help them. Instead, it feels like they are saying, ‘We can’t play with these guys. You want us to play with these guys? You can not win.’”
These claims follow another ugly road loss for the Warriors, this time in Oklahoma City, which takes their road record to a miserable 7-25.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr said after the game that the team were “a little disconnected in the first half several times” and that disconnect ultimately cost the team.
This was on full display when Draymond Green responding to not getting a pass from Jordan Poole by protesting dramatically and then giving up on the play. Kerr’s response to this when asked on 95.7 Tuesday morning was: “There’s no question that it can’t happen… Draymond knows he was wrong. We talked about it at halftime. He let his frustration get the best of him.”
Here's that obvious moment of exasperation from Draymond Green near the end of the first half in OKC. Flashes open for a pass from Jordan Poole, doesn't get it, waves in annoyance, walks away from the action. pic.twitter.com/a9dP5IvJZs
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 8, 2023
Curry admitted the team still has a lot of work to do but says he’s prepared to rally:
“Like I said, we’re not in a safe spot in terms of the standings or where we’re at, or just the vibe around how we’re playing. So, we got to keep repeating that until you’re blue in the face, until you actually do it.”