Perk believes distraction-free Warriors have found their identity originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Kendrick Perkins likes what he’s seen from the Warriors this season.
The outspoken ESPN analyst believes Golden State plays without distractions and with a lot of energy.
“The situation between Jordan Poole and Draymond Green was a distraction for the Warriors,” Perkins said Wednesday on “NBA Today.” “Last year, the whole rollercoaster of ups and downs with Klay Thompson was a distraction. For the first time in a long time, Steve Kerr enters the NBA season without distractions. And a team full of veterans and guys who seem to have gotten lost in the team.
“That’s what you want. Again, if you want to dig deeper into 13 and it works for you, I’m not going to question it…. It’s good to have competition within the locker room. As long as it is good competition and it is healthy. Look, I love the way the Warriors are playing right now. “His energy is contagious, in a big way.”
With an improved offense and punishing defense, The 4-1 Warriors are one of the surprises five games into the 2024-25 NBA season. Much of that victory has occurred without steph curry, who is still out due to an ankle injury.
Offseason acquisitions Buddy Hield, Lindy Waters III and kyle anderson They have made the difference for the team, capable of unleashing a barrage of triples at will.
Golden State’s front office was confident heading into the season that it had assembled a deep roster full of role players who would excel in coach Steve Kerr’s system and that’s what happened. The bench averages 59.0 points per game, the highest in the NBA.
Considering how well the bench has played this season, Perkins is right that Golden State has found its identity. Timely shooting and suffocating defense will be a necessity for the team to make the playoffs in the rugged Western Conference.