David Aldridge doubts Golden State Warriors' desire to retain the NBA championship
The Golden State Warriors were surging in confidence after securing the 2021-22 NBA championship. It looked as if Golden State were the team to beat in the Western Conference heading into the 2022-23 season.
After a 3-7 start to the regular season, it seemed like the Warriors would soon figure things out. With a veteran roster, Golden State has found itself in a similar position before. It usually results in the Warriors going on an impressive stretch of wins.
Instead, the 2022-23 season has been a rollercoaster for the defending champions. Golden State currently finds itself with an overall record of 22-22. They have won just two of their last five games, including home losses to the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic.
Appearing on The Athletic NBA Show, analyst David Aldridge expressed doubts about the defending champs. Aldridge said that he didn't get a sense of urgency from Golden State. He said:
"I was at the [Warriors] game on Monday. They beat the Wizards, which — y’know, okay; they beat the Wizards. But it was odd to me, the vibe I got from lots of people. And as you know, everybody was there, and it was weird.
"I know they want to win another one, but I didn’t get the sense that they were throwing everything into their title defense. It was like, 'Y’know, wouldn’t it be nice to win another one?'"
"But that title they won last year, really, I think — not that they’re satisfied, but I think they are not as driven as they may have been before."
Golden State Warriors struggling to get back on track
The Golden State Warriors still have one of the most dangerous rosters in the NBA. With the NBA's trade deadline rapidly approaching, Golden State could look to make some strategic moves.
Golden State has been inconsistent throughout the year. While the Warriors have gotten strong play on offense from Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, their defensive efforts have wavered.
“Hopefully we’ll be back with another trophy.”
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The Golden State Warriors currently find themselves ranked 19th in the NBA when it comes to defensive rating (113.4). For a team that has been such a dominant two-way force over the years, it's a disappointing number for the Warriors.
Golden State still has the roster to make a serious push at any time in the 2022-23 season. However, with each passing week, fans continue to wonder if the Warriors will ever turn it around.