Warriors keeping NBA confused, fans enthralled

So they can’t keep this up, and everybody knows (or think they know) the Lakers and Nets are superior teams.

But hasn’t this been fun — as well as surprising?

There are the Warriors playing like it was 2015. Or 2017 or 2018, winning and winning. And winning.

And keeping the NBA in confusion.

You ask yourself how this is happening, and then you ask how much better it could be with Klay Thompson back on the court.

This Curry kid seems unstoppable. True, at 33, the other night becoming the oldest with 50 points and 10 assists, he’s no longer a kid. But that’s merely a figure of speech.

Winning is great, certainly, and heading into Friday night’s game against Chicago at Chase Center the Dubs have won six in a row and 10 of their last 11. Winning unexpectedly is even better.

And this recent run has been unexpected, if not unappreciated. You have to think management, primarily GM Bob Myers, knows something about basketball — and, no less importantly, about basketball players.

Yes, the play of Steph Curry is a given. But how about those other guys, Draymond Green, who unfortunately may be out because of a contusion in his left leg received in Wednesday’s 123-110 win over Minnesota; Kevon Looney; Andre Iguodala; Jordan Poole; and most noticeably after 35 points against his old team, Andrew Wiggins.

“Keep protecting him,” Curry said of Wiggins.

What journalists up in Minneapolis said, in so many words, is that Wiggins is a semi-bust. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft, Wiggins was chosen by Cleveland but quickly enough in a transaction that included the Cavaliers and 76ers was traded to Minnesota, where he was not liked at all by the critics.

Finally, in February 2020, the Warriors got him for Jordan Poole, and a blogger named Brandon Anderson ecstatically wrote, “The Timberwolves might have saved their franchise, while the Warriors made a catastrophic misstep that could put their dynasty on the brink.”

Strong stuff, huh? Also misguided stuff. Rather than a catastrophe, the Warriors with the 6-foot 8 Wiggins in the game have been a success.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr had a one-word analysis of Wiggins’ performance against the T-Wolves, “fantastic” — a considerable distance from catastrophic. “Obviously excited to play against his old team,” he added.

Wiggins provided not only scoring but rebounding and defense. He takes on the big man, in height and reputation, from the other team.

In basketball at any level, from prep to pro, you not only need the pieces, the athletes, but you need the pieces to fit. When the Warriors are at their best, and they’ve been close at times, they pressure on defense, get the missed shot and roar down the court with the ball.

“I had a good start,” said Wiggins, who had 22 in the first half.

That sentence would also describe his team’s play these opening weeks, something not to be dismissed.

The NBA season is long (82 games) and difficult with constant travel. There will be injuries and questionable calls. A team needs to get in front and try to stay there. Let the rest play catch-up.

The Warriors have spoiled their fans and themselves. Kevin Durant might leave, Klay Thompson might be severely injured — but there was no thought of rebuilding, of playing for next year. The Dubs’ future is now.

“We have a lot more shooters,” Kerr said about this Warriors squad, “and this opening the court up for guys to be able to cut, throw lobs and get a lot more stops and runs.

“I think last year we had really good defense, but we fouled a lot. This year we haven’t been fouling as much. We are able to push the ball and run in transition.”

They’ve got Gary Payton II, Juan Toscano-Anderson and the oldest of old reliables, Iguodala.

“We can finish above the rim,” said Kerr, “so that’s really been exciting to watch.”

So is the ball going through the hoop.