If the Warriors Want to Win, They Need to...

 ...start giving more minutes to the young guys, even if Steph + Klay + Draymond is active.

The average age of the Warriors elder core (excluding Igoudala) is 33, and that doesn't cut it in today's run-and-gun NBA. And I know it may sound me saying stupid that I'm saying this after the Dubs, led by 34 year old Curry, won the championship just a few months ago.  But I'm trying to make a point here.

In 2015-16, Klay played 80 games and averaged 33 minutes.  Last season, he played 32 games and averaged 29 minutes.  2015-16 Steph, 79 games and 33 minutes compared to 2021-22, 64 games (but 35 minutes).  Dray 15-16, all 81 games and 35 mins.  Last season, 46 games and 29 minutes.

So what it appear the Warriors are doing is relying on their vets as much as humanly possible.  But they have young stars on this team that need developing.  For instance Jonathan Kuminga shouldn't be playing just 8 minutes, you know, if the Warriors actually intend to keep him.  And whereas I'm not as big on Moses Moody, if he's their 'SG of the future' than might as well give him more burn also (though not necessarily in the clutch).  That's because, due to the age of the tenured Warriors' core, like the future is already here.

It's cool that Klay is starting and all, but maybe, all things considered, at this point he should only be on the court when his skillset is needed.  These dudes have already paid their dues and making mad dough, and it isn't the best strategy to put them up against the young bucks of today like just in the name of tradition or whatever it is Kerr and them is doing.

CONCLUSION

Last season, what the Warriors basically rested their veteran core and let the rest of the squad carry the team, which sometimes worked and sometimes didn't.  So by the time the post-season came around, the perennial all-star vets, even though they may have missed games had their experience to fallback on.  And the young players, having unexpectedly earned so many minutes and doing their best, were also primed for battle.

I don't expect that strategy to work again.  Since the young bucks did prove themselves, and a couple of them got major paydays as a result, those who did stick around, now it's time to develop them.  The father shouldn't be farming harder than the son.  Instead, the father should be able to like work on his leisure and pickup the hoe only when necessary.