There is little argument against the claim that the western conference is superior. This has been true for the last few seasons, and comes as little surprise to fans and analysts alike. What is a surprise to most, however, has been how dominant the Golden State Warriors have been this season. Sitting pretty atop the ultra-deep west, Golden State is 32-6 and has been on a roll basically all season. Their last loss, at Oklahoma City, was a product of head coach Steve Kerr resting players. A fully loaded squad could have won that game. The question of depth has been one of the very few knocks on the Warriors, so the question must be asked: Do the Golden State Warriors need another piece?
Let’s take a look at each position, starting with the guards:
Guard
The Warriors have a legitimate claim to the best backcourt in the NBA. Anchored by Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Golden State’s “Splash Brothers” have led this team throughout the season. Curry is firmly in the NBA MVP conversation, and Thompson has morphed his game to be one of the most complete two-way guards in the league. His defense has improved vastly, and he is earning the contract he signed this summer. On the bench, the Warriors are deepest at the guard position, with newcomers Shaun Livingston, Leandro Barbosa, and even Justin Holiday making contributions. Their overall versatility at the guard position has given Kerr the flexibility to adapt to in-game situations that might require them to go small or change the tempo. Golden State does not need to add any guards, as this is far and away the strongest part of the team.
Forward
The forward position for the Warriors has been one of the more intriguing stories of the season. Third-year small forward Draymond Green has busted out in a big way, and is making a legitimate claim for both the NBA Most Improved Player and NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He has also improved his offense, making himself a viable threat from deep. Alongside him is another forward who has improved this year, Harrison Barnes. Barnes replaced Andre Iguodala in the starting lineup this year, a move that both players embraced for the good of the team. Barnes has been an effective scorer, and Iguodala has been a valuable asset for the second unit. Iguodala, a former all-star, helps make this team one of the deepest in the NBA. At the power forward position, David Lee has been in and out of the lineup, but is a proven scorer that knows how to play well alongside Curry and Thompson. His defense may not be up to par, but he certainly has played his role well in his time on the court.
Center
The center spot is the only area that it feels like the Warriors could use an addition. By no means is this an indictment of how Andrew Bogut and Marreese Speights have played, however. Bogut and Speights have given Golden State a positive force on both ends of the floor, playing excellent defense and proving to be valuable secondary options. The problem here is the comparative lack of depth. Festus Ezeli and Ognjen Kuzmic are the only other centers on the floor, and while the Warriors have been keen on going small, they could use another piece at the center spot. With Bogut’s injury history, and Ezeli and Kuzmic not yet proving themselves, the Warriors have at times been left with Speights as their only true center. Golden State could pick up another center, perhaps trading one of their reserve guards like Barbosa or Holiday, or bringing up a D-League player or free agent.
Ultimately, though, the Warriors are in a good spot here. They are as complete a team as any in the league, and playing at the Oracle Arena is a nightmare for opponents. Steve Kerr knows that he needs to manage this team for the playoffs, and resting players at times throughout the season is a smart move. It also allows the younger bench players to play big minutes and give them experience, should someone get injured. A small move is the only move I would recommend here, and even that might not be necessary.