The 2023-24 Golden State Warriors By Category

During the 2023-24 season, Stephen Curry has continued to showcase his scoring prowess as the focal point of the Golden State Warriors' offense. With a scoring average of 26.7 points per game, Curry is still the greatest shooter in basketball with a 39.8% accuracy from beyond the arc and remained a lethal weapon for the team.

As the go-to closer, Curry's ability to perform in clutch moments highlighted his invaluable role for the team despite being 35 years old. The need for a balanced scoring approach became apparent, with Klay Thompson emerging as the second-highest scorer at 17.5 points per game which is quite far off from Curry at this point.

Playmaking - Chris Paul

In the playmaking department, Chris Paul has been an absolute maestro for his team this season. It's pretty remarkable – he's leading the squad with a solid 7.2 assists per game (APG) and managing to keep his turnovers impressively low at just 1.2. What's interesting is that despite only starting in 11 out of 32 games, Paul is proving to be an invaluable 6th man when he hits the court.

Draymond Green is right up there as the second-leading playmaker, dishing out a notable 5.8 assists while Stephen Curry is the third playmaker on the team due to his heavy scoring role. Paul is showing us why he's still considered one of the best floor generals out there, even at 38. His ability to orchestrate plays, share the rock, and do it all with minimal turnovers is a testament to his basketball IQ and leadership and he will be missed during his injury rehab.

Rebounding - Kevon Looney

When it comes to grabbing boards, Kevon Looney is the go-to guy for the Warriors, pulling down a solid 7.2 rebounds per game. It's a clear sign that the Dubs are putting a premium on crashing the boards, especially considering their tiny lineups. We've always known the Warriors to be on the smaller side, relying on that hustle and athleticism, but this season seems to be throwing some curveballs their way.

Enter Looney, standing tall at a whopping 7 feet but he is only averaging around 20.5 minutes per game, so his impact could be minimized by heavy playing time. Surprisingly, Dario Saric, who's not a traditional big man, is right behind, grabbing only 5.6 rebounds per game. Their lack of size could be a reason for this season’s poor record.

Defense - Draymond Green

Draymond Green has been ejected three times and was forced into a 12-game suspension for his behavior on the court. But he is still the team's best defender, averaging 0.4 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. Chris Paul is averaging more steals (1.1) and Trayce Jackson-Davis is putting up more blocks (0.8), but Green is the most versatile defender and the tone-setter in that regard.

Without Green, the Warriors will not meet their expectations defensively unless they completely change the core of the team. No other player can be relied upon to hustle, defend all positions, and switch on defense effectively. Andrew Wiggins used to be that guy but he has faltered this season and Jonathan Kuminga needs a few more seasons at least to be considered a consistent defensive threat.

3-Point Shooting - Stephen Curry

Any idea who would lead this category? Draymond Green is shooting a remarkable 42.9% from three…but he has only played 15 games this season and is attempting under three shots per game. Brandin Podziemski is shooting an impressive 40.2% from three, but he is attempting 3.4 attempts from beyond in 10 starts. Curry, the man when it comes to creating his own three-pointers, is shooting 39.8% on 11.4 attempts per game.

It is no secret that Curry’s offense is very three-point heavy, and attempting over 11 per game is a trait that legendary shooters such as Reggie Miller would have loved to have had in their day. Regardless, Steph is by far the best shooter on the team especially when Klay Thompson has been somewhat below-par, averaging 38.7% from three on 8.8 attempts from three.

Finishing - Andrew Wiggins

It has been a bit of a mixed bag for Andrew Wiggins this season. He's had a bit of a downturn, putting up an average of 11.7 points per game and shooting 29.5% from beyond the arc. The trade rumors swirling around him suggest that the Warriors are eyeing a quick re-tool. But even in a challenging season, has been the go-to guy when it comes to finishing at the rim.

His consistency in that department is pretty noteworthy. Standing tall at 6'7" with some serious athleticism, Wiggins has proven to be a threat when driving to the basket. What's intriguing is that young gun Jonathan Kuminga is hot on his heels in this aspect and will soon be regarded as the best pure finisher on the team at one point.

Athleticism - Jonathan Kuminga

When it comes to pure athleticism, Jonathan Kuminga is stealing the spotlight for the Warriors. Standing at 6'8" and weighing in at 210 lbs, this 21-year-old is the definition of an explosive athlete. He is one of the best dunkers in the league right now as he continues to level up his finishing at the rim.

That combination of explosive athleticism and a growing ability to close out plays at the basket is making him a standout on the court as a youngster. In a team that's often lauded for its playmakers and skillful players, Kuminga is the beacon of pure athleticism. Even with the seasoned Andrew Wiggins right behind him, Kuminga's explosive moves and athleticism are setting a new standard for the Warriors.

Clutch - Stephen Curry

When it comes to clutch moments, there's no denying that Stephen Curry is the Warriors' go-to closer. In a season that hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows for the team, Curry's ability to step up when it matters most is nothing short of impressive. Take, for instance, his standout performances against the Boston Celtics this season shows he has their number.

Curry is also leading the entire NBA in total clutch points with a whopping 113. That's ahead of Mikal Bridges (86) and Damian Lillard (82). When the game is on the line, and the Warriors need someone to seal the deal, there's no question whose name gets called – Stephen Curry.

Efficiency - Stephen Curry

When it comes to efficiency, Stephen Curry continues to showcase his elite shooting skills, although this season might not be his peak in terms of percentages. Shooting at 44.3% from the field, 39.8% from three, and an impressive 92.4% from the free-throw stripe, Curry remains a force to be reckoned with.

While his efficiency numbers might not be hitting the same high notes as in some previous seasons, it's essential to note that Curry's standards are sky-high. Leading the league in free-throw percentage is a testament to his precision from the line. Moreover, maintaining an average of 3.0 turnovers per game, the lowest since the 2018-19 season, indicates his commitment to ball security.

Leadership - Stephen Curry

In terms of leadership, Stephen Curry has emerged as the undisputed captain of the Warriors. With Draymond Green facing ejections that have let down the team at times, Curry has stepped into the forefront as the stabilizing force. What sets Curry apart is not just his on-court prowess but his humility off the court. He leads by example, embodying the values of hard work and dedication.

As the best scorer and shooter on the team, Curry's impact is undeniable. This season, it's clear that without Curry, the Warriors face significant challenges in finding their rhythm and might not be able to function in any way. That is scary to say because the four-time champions are not meeting their levels at all.

Versatility - Draymond Green

When it comes to versatility, Draymond Green stands out as a jack-of-all-trades for the Warriors. His impact often goes beyond what the stat sheet can capture, influencing the game in ways that contribute significantly to winning. The recent 3-7 record over the last 10 games suggests that the team may be facing challenges without Green on the court.

Green's stat line, averaging 9.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game, showcases his ability to contribute across various facets of the game. What sets him apart is his defensive prowess, capable of defending multiple positions. Additionally, Green stands out as one of the best playmakers on the team, providing a valuable link between the offense and defense.

Handles - Stephen Curry

No other player comes close to Curry in terms of using ball-handling to create offense for himself. Chris Paul is the closest, but he is 38 years old and cannot pull the moves that Curry can to break down defenses. Steph’s handles and the improvement in that regard since his rookie campaign have been arguably the main reason he has become an offensive superstar.

The greatest players of all time have had elite handles and Curry is one of them. His pre-game practices when it comes to dribbling the ball have been a spectacle in recent seasons and the hard work put in that regard is a reason the point guard continues to put up monster scoring numbers.

Underrated - Jonathan Kuminga

Jonathan Kuminga voiced his concerns about not receiving heavy minutes on the court considering how much the Warriors have struggled this season. The forward is seventh on the team in minutes per game (23.0) and he should be getting more considering the improvements he has shown on the court. Averaging 13.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.6 steals per game, Kuminga is showing promise.

That means he is underrated because Steve Kerr and the Warriors have failed to realize the young man’s importance. Kuminga might be the most valuable asset that Golden State has, outside of Stephen Curry, because at 21 years old, the future is very bright and he has started to show what he can do this season.

Overrated - Andrew Wiggins

Andrew Wiggins is making over $24 million this season and over $26 million over the next two seasons. A player option for the 2026-27 season worth over $30 million means his current contract is not a great deal by any means which is why the player might be moved. Wiggins has been overvalued and overpaid, meaning he is overrated.

Averaging only 11.7 points per game on subpar shooting percentages (41.8% FG, 29.5% 3-PT FG, and 68.9% FT) means the player has fallen off completely. There might be some off-court issues affecting Wiggins’ play and we have to keep an open mind if that is true, but he has been overrated nonetheless.

Overall - Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry is the best player on the Warriors, even when the team has struggled so poorly. Curry is putting up the best numbers on the team, is the go-to closer, and has not had much help when it comes to generating wins. Chris Paul is the best playmaker, Draymond Green is the best defender, and Jonathan Kuminga has improved, but the problems run deeper than that.

The Warriors have been a one-man show all season and the fact that Klay Thompson hasn’t signed a long-term deal could be hurting continuity. If the Warriors can find Curry some more help, there could be a vastly improved second part of the season coming. Posting 26.7 points per game on nearly 40.0% from three, Curry should be devoid of any blame as the best star on the team.