FAKE RONJAN!!One last check-in on the Warriors
Previously on Useless Analysis, we broke down the Golden State Warriors through the 2018 All Star Break. They were an excellent team that simply seemed bored after topping themselves three seasons in a row.
Now with a closing stretch marred by injuries and surprise losses - including a 40-point loss in their season finale against Utah - this team is more vulnerable than it has been in years.
After being in the top three of the LOGAN Power Rankings for most of the season, the Warriors finished the season in their worst placement in four years - 15th place!
LOGAN Power Rankings for End of 2018 Regular Season
LOGAN of course doesn't watch basketball, and LOGAN can't account for injuries. But at this point in the season, the Warriors are only slightly above-average based on how they finished the season. Meanwhile, how about the Sixers and Jazz making runs into the top two spots!
One trend we called out in our last post was that the Warriors were going down by double-digits more often this season than in the three prior ones. At the All-Star Break, they were 9-9 in games that they trailed by 10+ points. Since then, they've gone 0-8 in such scenarios.
Number of Games Trailing by 10+ Points at End of Any Quarter (2015-2018)
Maybe this has gone beyond boredom at this point. The Warriors' rough 7-10 finish in their final 17 games wreaked havoc with their final season scoring margin, as well.
Warriors Cumulative Point Margin by Season (2015-2018)
With Steph Curry out for at least the first round of the playoffs, it's a good thing the Warriors are matched up against the toothless and Kawhi-less Spurs in the first round. This free pass to the 2nd round may be what they need to turn things around.
(Although, you know, Go Spurs Go!)
-rj