In 2023–24, California can do only so much to close that huge gap. The attention that Curry and Thompson attract from beyond the arc allows their teammates all around the court to get open looks at the basket, and it’s not like Chris Paul, Draymond Green, or Kevon Looney are going to suԀԀenly become explosive, above-the-rim drivers and finishers.

However, the boring and one-dimensional nature of the Dubs’ offense was exposed in their playoff loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. There is only one Anthony Davis and a handful of other monster interior defenders who can almost single-handedly seal off the paint and force opponents to force Curry and Thompson into mid-range or post-up jumpers while the rest of the team aggressively over-plays them.

Still, other teams in the league are likely to follow Los Angeles’ defensive model this season, so the Warriors need a plan B besides always setting ball-screens for Paul regardless of whether or not Curry is on the court.

Improved rim pressure as a focus for the 2023-24 Warriors

Is increased rim pressure the unexpecteԀ factor that’s been missing? The Warriors won’t change their signature style of offense to force more fouls in the paint. Don’t be surprised if the Warriors improve on their 29th-ranked rate of shots at the rim in 2023-24 with a pick-and-roll maestro like Paul and long, agile wings and forwards like Jonathan Kuminga, Andrew Wiggins, Gary Payton II, and even Moses Moody.

It’s not like we go around telling the players, ‘Hey, we want to enhance our percentage.’ However, “pressure on the rim” is something the team strives for constantly, as Kerr stated to ClutchPoints on Wednesday. That figure ought to rise as Kuminga matures and is given more time.Except for JaVale and Bogut on lobs, we’ve never been a team with a lot of people who can finish around the basket from the center position. With Loon and Draymond, though, we tend to play from the inside out and take a lot of shots. However, the more people we can bring to the edge, the better. Personnel and execution both play a role.

The Warriors’ cuts and attacked close-outs will have more space to work with thanks to Paul’s court vision and defensive manipulation skills. By increasing Kuminga’s minutes and rotating Dario Saric to the center, the Warriors will be able to increase their shot volume and efficiency. With his health back, Payton could be a major threаt in the dunker position and as a pick-and-roll dive man.

The Warriors can use the threаt posed by Curry and Thompson, arguably the two best shooters of all time, in a variety of ways to their benefit. The Warriors’ offense, which was eighth in efficiency a year ago, might use a few tweaks to help it return to the very top of the league this season, and getting downhill to the rim with increased frequency is one of them.