The Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (left) tries to defend the Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun Jan 28, 2024 (AP News photo)

The Decline of the Warriors

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Their starting lineup, which has been good for years, is unproductive this season. Their defense ranked first or second in the league in three championship seasons, but after losing at home to the Los Angeles Lakers in double overtime 145-144, the Warriors’ defense is towards the low part of the NBA.

A team playing fantastic to excellent defense will lead to more offense, but not this Golden State Warriors.

During the double overtime win by the Lakers, Lebron James was the man, as he scored 36 points, grabbed 20 rebounds, and had 12 assists, shooting 14 of 25 overall, from deep and from the foul line.

James put the last nail in the Warrior’s coffin with two clutch free throws, plus his 20 rebounds was a high for him, one more rebound than his previous best on January 11, 2008, with 19 boards against the Charlotte Bobcats. Curry scored 46 points but was frustrated by the loss and ripped his jersey off his chest in disgust as the game ended.

What’s next? Tuesday, the Philadelphia 76ers will play the Warriors at Chase Center. The 76ers have the third-best record in the Eastern Conference with a 29-15 record. With a 19-14 record (12-13) at home, the Warriors are in the Western Conference’s doldrums,12th among the 15 teams.

Trades?  At this time, everyone but Curry could be traded, and just one trade might not do the trick to revive this Warriors team; they are seriously in need of new blood and new chemistry. 

You don’t have to be an expert analyst; any basketball fan watching the Warriors this season can see they are clinging to yesteryear while everyone is getting younger and faster.

The NBA deadline for trades is Thursday, February 8.

NBA All-Star Game: February 16 at Indianapolis. LeBron James surpasses Kareem Abdul-Jabbar again, this time for most All-Star selections in NBA history with 20.

Money Note: Bay Area Professional teams value:  #1 Golden State Warriors $8 Billion. #2 San Francisco 49ers $6 Billion. #3 San Francisco Giants $3.7 Billion. #4 San José Sharks $1.4 Billion. #5 Oakland A’s $1.18 Billion. #6 San José Earthquakes $510 Million.

Amaury Pi-González was the Golden State Warriors play-by-play announcer on the radio during the 1990s, broadcasting all games home and road. He has been the first and only Spanish play-by-play announcer to call Warriors game in franchise’s history to date. Also catch Amaury for News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com