NBA Roundtable: Will the Warriors miss the playoffs?

BetAmerica is thrilled to be teaming up with Covers and Oddschecker for a new weekly feature breaking down the latest news and trends from around the Association. This week, NBA columnists Andrew Caley, Sam Farley and Ryan Murphy discuss the league’s most promising rookies, the sorry state of the Warriors and James Harden’s shooting funk.

Zion Williamson may be out, but we’ve already seen some spectacular performances from first year players. Which rookie has impressed you most?

Andrew: I’m going a bit off the board here, but it’s got to be the Hornets’ P.J. Washington. His big knock coming into the draft was his three-point shooting. Well, he just set the record for most three’s made in a debut and is hitting 50% from deep for the season. He’s also contributing on the defensive end, ranking third among rookies in rebounds and sixth in steals.

Sam: Zion’s former teammate RJ Barrett has looked impressive in New York and already looks like the next great Knicks star, something their fans have been calling out for. I fell in love with Coby White at college and he’s really impressed me. However, the standout has to be Ja Morant. Morant has already significantly improved the Grizzlies, and recently became only the third player with a 30-point, nine-assist game within his first three games. Not only that, but he’s shown nerve in clutch situations. This kid is going to be truly special, and sooner rather than later.

Ryan: I've been blown away by RJ Barrett. The Maple Mamba is averaging 20.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists and has emerged as one of the most efficient high volume scorers in the league. His numbers may drop as teams become savvy to his game, but his 50% shooting from the field and 47% from deep suggest Barrett is more than ready for primetime. Not bad for a 19-year-old kid who's supposed to be in his first year of university.

Draymond Green has been brutally honest about the Warriors’ performance this season, saying the team “sucks”. Does Golden State have enough fire power to sneak into the playoffs?

Andrew: As currently constituted, my answer is no. Steph Curry is not the type of player that can put this team on his back. Draymond Green’s shooting woes have carried over to this season and D'Angelo Russell hasn’t exactly stepped into the Klay Thompson role. Heck, they’re starting Suns castoffs. But the big problem is they can’t stop anyone. And I don’t now if that’ll improve this season.

Sam: The Warriors are finally in the place that so many basketball fans have been waiting for, struggling to compete. Draymond Green is right in his assertion that the team sucks and they’re missing firepower, but they still have excellent coaching, lots of experience and Steph Curry. It’s not going to be a pretty season, but Golden State still has enough to sneak into the playoffs.

Ryan: Green was probably being generous when he said the Warriors suck. Golden State is giving up 128 points per game and has the worst defensive rating in the league. Even if Steph Curry explodes for 40 points, which he'll do from time to time, the Warriors still need to get stops on the other end to remain competitive. Rudy Tomjanovich taught us not to underestimate the heart of a champion, but frankly I'm finding it hard to put any faith in a a threadbare team counting on heavy contributions from the likes of Glenn Robinson III and Jordan Poole.

James Harden is shooting under 30% from the floor and 15% from beyond the arc after the first three games of the season. Is he simply in a funk or has Russell Westbrook ruined his mojo?

Andrew: To me this is just a funk. I’m not going to get too worried over three games. It was definitely Harden’s idea to bring Westbrook in, and while the fit is an interesting one, you had to figure there would be some growing pains. Shockingly, Russ is shooting his highest three-point rate of his career. They’ll figure it out. Harden’s too good.

Sam: The Beard hasn’t looked himself so far this season but look, we’re three games in, there is no need to be hitting the panic button just yet. The arrival of Russ has definitely impacted Harden, but I don’t think it’s terminal. It’s just a case of the pair building chemistry and familiarity with each other when they’re on the floor. This is certainly something we need to keep an eye on and it’s a puzzle the Rockets will need to solve quickly.

Ryan: Harden's numbers are surprising, but hardly shocking. Westbrook's reputation as a bricklayer has resulted in teams backing off the Rockets point guard and sending help defenders towards The Beard instead. That's a major departure from a season ago when Harden was flanked by Chris Paul and Eric Gordon, both of whom are career 37% three-point gunners. I fully expect Harden to adjust - great players always do - but Mike D'Antoni will probably earn a few more grey hairs before his two stars figure out how to coexist.

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