Warriors disappoint in opener

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Team logo the Golden State Warriors.

The Golden State Warriors opening night did not meet the team’s season expectations, considering their talent.

The Warriors were easily handled by the San Antonio Spurs 100-129. They were only able to muster 21 points in the first quarter and trailed by double digits for the entirety of the game.

Klay Thompson was absent this game, scoring only 11 points on five shots out of 13 with only one made three pointer. Stephen Curry was off as well, only making three of his 10 three pointers. That more so had to with the genius of Spurs coach Greg Popovich. Anytime Curry was heating up, a timeout was called to ice him.

Draymond Green looked like a liability on defense. Lamarcus Aldridge was able to score at will, exploiting the mismatch. The problems that plagued the Warriors last year, rim protection and rebounds, were not addressed this year and were evident in this game.

Kevin Durant was the main highlight for the Warriors. He put up 27 points on 11 of 18 shot attempts and grabbed 10 rebounds, giving him a double-double for his Warriors debut.

Overall it was a disappointing game to tip off the season, but there is no reason to panic. The Miami Heat in 2010 is a perfect example. They weren’t playing up to expectations early in the season, but eventually started playing in synchronization in route to a finals appearance.

It is going to take some time for the Warriors to adjust with all these new players. A lot of players were let go via free agency, solely to accommodate Durant’s contract. In an 82 game season, there is plenty of time for them to get it together.

They arguably have four of the top 10 players in the league.Curry, Thompson, Green and Durant are on the same starting lineup, that lineup alone sounds like an All-Star team.

When Durant announced he was going to sign with the Warriors back in July, fans were ecstatic. The Warriors had just blown a 3-1 series lead in the finals the month before and fans were distraught. Once Durant was signed, fans didn’t care that they lost. They were just drooling at the thought of having Durant on the team.

Those thoughts should still remain as the season goes on. The Warriors are poised for another playoff berth and if they make it, no team in the west will want to play this dangerous lineup.