Golden State Warriors

Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have spent the better part of this season searching for an identity. Are they contenders? Are they pretenders? Are they a localized art installation dedicated to the concept of the turnover? Heading into the All-Star break at 29-26, they seem to have finally stumbled upon a guiding philosophy, one as chaotic as it is strangely comforting: They're just making this up as they go along. And I think that's just great.

The Warriors were without most of their top players. Steph Curry (knee inflammation) and Draymond Green (back) were held out after being questionable earlier in the day. Without their best players and several others the Warriors fell to the Timberwolves 108-83 while suiting up only 10 players. Gui Santos had his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Brandin Podziemski had 12 points and seven rebounds.

We take for granted that the Golden State Warriors have one of the 15 greatest coaches in NBA history in Steve Kerr. Kerr's Warriors have spoiled us with four NBA championships (three in his first four seasons as coach), and five consecutive NBA Finals appearances. And he's the perfect Bay Area coach, as he stridently criticizes Donald Trump, routinely decries gun violence, and most importantly, expertly manages a difficult set of egos to keep the Dubs' championship dynasty running smoothly.

The Warriors' shooting has reached historic new heights. In a league that has wholeheartedly embraced the long-range shot, no team in NBA history has shot the 3-ball as prolifically as Golden State has over the past week. Yes, that includes the dynastic Warriors teams with Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson all in their late-20s primes.