The perfect season marches on. The Golden State Warriors overcame a slow start on Tuesday night to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 106-98, pushing their record to 4-0 on the year.
It wasn’t the prettiest game, but a win is a win, and winning ugly is a skill.
So let’s grade all the players, weighting them based on expectations for the player (i.e. 25 points might be an A++ night for Chris Chiozza, but it’s what we expect out of Steph Curry).
Draymond Green
32 minutes, 8 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 4 turnovers, 5 fouls, 3-for-4 shooting, 1-for-1 threes, 1-for-2 free throws, 0
It’s hard to have a more Draymond stat line than 8 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 stocks. Green, like most of the Warriors, was responsible for the team falling behind big early; but, more than most of the Warriors, he contributed to the second-half comeback.
Dray’s offense is taking a big step forward from last year in the efficiency standpoint, and that was definitely on display in Oklahoma City. Save for the sloppiness in the form of fouls and turnovers, it was an awesome game for him.
Grade: B+
Post-game bonus: Led team in rebounds and assists
Andrew Wiggins
31 minutes, 21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 9-for-17 shooting, 0-for-5 threes, 3-for-5 free throws, +4
Wiggins was ice cold from deep, but it still might have been his best performance of the year. He was aggressive attacking the rim, shooting 9-for-12 from inside the arc, and getting to the free throw line. More importantly, he stayed within the flow of the offense, keeping the ball moving, and making the extra pass.
And after just 2 steals and 1 block in the first three games of the year, Wiggins’ one-upped that in this game alone.
Grade: B+
Kevon Looney
18 minutes, 5 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, 3 fouls, 2-for-5 shooting, 1-for-2 free throws, -1
Right now the Warriors starting lineup is struggling when they’re on the court together. It’s hard to know how much of that to attribute to Looney, but it’s a trend that needs to be looked at a little.
And speaking of trends, Steve Kerr continues to play Looney in limited minutes, and the veteran center continues to rebound at a much higher clip than in previous seasons. It seems he’s the right fit in some games, and perhaps not in others.
Grade: B-
Steph Curry
32 minutes, 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 4 turnovers, 1 foul, 6-for-14 shooting, 4-for-9 threes, 7-for-7 free throws, +15
The Thunder threw everything they could at Curry, sometimes running defensive schemes that made the box-and-one look mild. Curry was their defense’s first, second, and third priority. In many ways they kept Curry in check — as much as you can keep one of the greatest offensive players in NBA history in check — with a mild-mannered 23 points on moderate efficiency, and as many turnovers as assists.
But Curry consistently made the right reads, and it felt like nearly all of Golden State’s made baskets came because of his gravity. That’s how he provides immense value, even on the days where he’s not putting up gaudy stats.
Grade: B
Post-game bonus: Led team in points
Jordan Poole
29 minutes, 10 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 5-for-14 shooting, 0-for-7 threes, -17
It was a rough day at the office for Poole, but even in the roughness it was easy to see where he’s improved his game. While last year a bad shooting night might have meant an awful game for Poole, this year he’s found ways to impact the game regardless. Dishing out 7 assists to just 1 turnover is a huge improvement for him, and his defense was engaged all night long.
Instead of having a disaster game, he relied on other skills to simply have an off night.
Grade: C+
Post-game bonus: Lowest plus/minus on the team
Nemanja Bjelica
8 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 1-for-1 shooting, -6
I’m not sure why Bjelica only played 8 minutes, but he wasn’t very good in those minutes, so perhaps there was a reason!
Grade: C
Andre Iguodala
19 minutes, 3 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 2 fouls, 1-for-3 shooting, 1-for-3 threes, +8
After missing Sunday’s game with an injury, it was great to see Iguodala back on the court Tuesday, and looking healthy. And it was definitely a vintage Iguodala game: diverse but not outstanding stats, and exceptional impact.
This is why the Warriors brought him back.
Grade: B+
Chris Chiozza
5 minutes, 0 points, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, 0-for-2 shooting, 0-for-1 threes, +5
Chiozza made his Warriors debut in this game, getting some early run as Kerr tried to limit Curry’s minutes. I’m not sure that I’d say Chiozza made an impact, but he held down the fort — and that’s exactly what the Warriors ask of him.
Grade: B
Otto Porter Jr.
17 minutes, 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 foul, 2-for-6 shooting, 2-for-4 threes, +5
A solid, if not particularly noteworthy performance by Porter. Good aggression attacking the glass and on defense, while fitting into the system seamlessly, as he has since the start of the preseason.
We’re going to get a breakout game one of these days, I’d guess; but until then, Porter is playing the role brilliantly.
Grade: B
Juan Toscano-Anderson
17 minutes, 5 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 fouls, 1-for-2 shooting, 1-for-2 threes, 2-for-2 free throws, +13
Not a very stat-heavy game for JTA, but it was exactly the type of game that has earned him a guaranteed contract. Grit, intangibles, making open shots, and playing outstanding defense.
Grade: B+
Damion Lee
26 minutes, 20 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 8-for-14 shooting, 4-for-7 threes, +16
I’m not sure what’s left to say about Lee, who is having an utterly brilliant start to the season. That’s three of the first four games that the Warriors might not win without the contributions of Lee, who is scoring in a variety of ways, doing everything possible to keep the system flowing, and chipping in a fair share on defense as well.
He’s a weapon.
Grade: A
Post-game bonus: Team leader in plus/minus
Moses Moody
47 seconds, -2
Moody played, but only in the final 47 seconds, when the Warriors were just running out the clock.
Grade: Incomplete
Gary Payton II
5 minutes, 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 1-for-1 shooting, 1-for-1 threes, 0
Payton’s shooting continues to impress, and that could be huge both for the Warriors and for his career: a guard that plays his level of defense with a three-point shot sure would be something.
He’s probably upset about accumulating 2 turnovers (and fouls) in just 5 minutes, but the made three is certainly a silver lining.
Grade: B-
Tuesday’s inactives: Jeff Dowtin, Jonathan Kuminga, Klay Thompson, James Wiseman
