The Golden State Warriors was approached with both fear and scepticism, fear that they, composed of four All-Stars and two NBA MVPs, would take the league by storm and scepticism that the team would not rise to the occasion after sacrificing five players from its championship core to acquire Kevin Durant. But after a 12-game winning streak and a 16-3 record to lead the league, the Warriors are once again the best in the NBA.
After 19 games, Golden State leads the points (118.1), assists (31.1), blocks (6.6), steals (9.5) and field goal percentage (49.6) departments. The Warriors are also number one in terms of offensive efficiency with a 113. 8 mark, according to NBA stats.
Within two years, the Warriors have registered back-to-back double digit winning streaks and critics and journalists alike are saying that the "superteam" are on pace to match their record-breaking 73 wins from last year.
However, the Houston Rockets brought the Warriors back down to earth by dealing Golden State a 127-132 Thursday night and Warriors 'glue guy' Draymond Green may be responsible for the loss, as per Business Insider Sports.
Green played excellent against the James Harden-led Rockets team with 20 points, 15 rebound and nine dimes but in a crucial play where he apparently kicked Harden in the head. The Warriors were trailing by just three points in the last two minutes of second overtime but a flagrant foul on Green paved the way for Houston to seal the win.
Many have raised their concerns about Green costing the Warriors their title hopes but after flirting with a triple-double against the Rockets, he is without a doubt pivotal in the team's success.
The Warriors' loss to the Rockets is already their third loss at home this season but with former MVP Durant and reigning two-time MVP in Steph Curry at the helm, Golden State is still the force to be reckoned with in the NBA.