'Wiseman is just not good at all and to the extent that they're not going to play him in any game that really matters, that could be debilitating to their ability to win.'įor the Warriors to have any chance of making it back to the NBA Finals, another Eastern Conference scout believes it will take one thing. Kuminga is not that good and can probably only be used situationally and so, depending on matchups, downgrading from Otto Porter or Gary Payton to him could be a problem. 'Moody is probably fine and can pick up some of the minutes that equivalent players played last year. 'I understand why they let their veteran bench players go and made a big bet on Kuminga, Moody and Wiseman,' an Eastern Conference scout said.

RELATED: Butler boasts Heat will win title despite 2-5 start, loss to Dubs Golden State is hoping some of its younger guys like Moses Moody and James Wiseman can fill that void.īut opposing scouts aren't so sure that can happen. Those expecting the Warriors to waver this year also are expecting a dip because the team that won last season isn't the same team this season. Since their last postseason run two seasons ago, Los Angeles has added John Wall, Norm Powell and Robert Covington. Los Angeles stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George playing behind a championship-caliber coach in Tyronn Lue are a big reason why NBA scouts, GMs and coaches are leaning towards the Clippers this season.Įven though George hasn’t played more than 54 games since the 2018-19 season, and Leonard hasn’t played more than 60 since the 2016-17 season, the confidence in the Clippers this year is because of their depth. It's all about having all their guys ready for the playoffs.' 'I don't expect them to have a great regular-season record. 'I don't think they care about the regular season,' an Eastern Conference scout said. The last time the Warriors opened a season with three consecutive road losses was the shortened 2011-12 season, where they finished 23-43.īut the Clippers (3-4) stand at the exact same record as of Tuesday, and it’s silly enough to base a team’s future off less than 10 games at the start of the season.

Golden State’s 3-4 start to the 2022-23 NBA season and winless record on the road doesn’t exactly scream “champions”. Sure, the Warriors’ hopes of a back-to-back isn’t off to the best start. I don't know that they'll be able to last this time around.' But they sat everybody for two years and then won the battle of attrition. 'I don't even think Golden State is in their class. 'The Clippers are the team to beat,' a Western Conference general manager said in a FOX Sports poll.

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