Perk believes the unruly Warriors have found an 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 that Golden State plays without distractions and with great energy.
“The Jordan Poole-Draymond Green situation has been a distraction for the Warriors,” Perkins said Wednesday on “NBA Today.” “Last year, the whole up-and-down roller coaster with Klay Thompson, that was a distraction. For the first time in a long time, Steve Kerr entered the NBA season without any distractions. And a team full of vets and guys who look like they lost themselves in the team.
“That’s what you want. Again, if you want to go 13 deep and it works for him, I won’t ask him… It’s good to have competition in the locker room. As long as it’s good competition and it’s healthy. Look, I love the way the Warriors are playing right now. Their energy is contagious, in a great way.”
With improved offense and punishing defense, the 4-1 Warriors is one of the surprises five games into the 2024-25 NBA season. Much of that gain has happened without Steph Curry, who remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
Offseason acquisitions Buddy Hield, Lindy Waters III and Kyle Anderson were difference makers for the team, able to unload a barrage of three-pointers at will.
Golden State’s front office was confident going into the season that it had put together a deep roster full of players who excelled in coach Steve Kerr’s system and that’s what happened. The bench is averaging 59.0 points per game, the highest in the NBA.
Based on how well the bench has played this season, Perkins is right about Golden State finding its identity. Timely shooting and stifling defense will be a necessity for the team to make a deep playoff run in the rugged Western Conference.
