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The Ex Machina of the Golden State Warriors

Jackson Law / NBA / November 5, 2019

In movies or stories, oftentimes bad movies, a problem that arises within the story and is suddenly and abruptly resolved by an unexpected and seemingly unlikely occurrence. This is, by definition, called an “Ex Machina.” How does a Greek literary device pertain to the 2019 Golden State Warriors? Allow me to explain.

The Problem

Golden State sucks right now. It all started when Kevin Durant decided to walk out and join Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets. In return, the Warriors got D’Angelo Russell. Not bad right? Wrong. The money given to Russell should have been spent on replacing role players such as Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston or simple two-year contracts and try to grab an All-Star in 2021 free agency. Instead, all of their money is wrapped up in Curry, Thompson, Green, and Russell.

Thompson has a torn ACL and will not be ready to go in time to save the ship. Curry recently broke his hand and will be out for three or more months. Kerr is actually having to coach now. Draymond Green is definitely not a franchise player. All these injuries come as the new Chase Center opens up. Impossible problem to solve right?

THIS starting lineup for @warriors has a 71-68 lead on the @hornets through 3 quarters. pic.twitter.com/O39dsmJHoJ
— 𝙳𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝙴𝚗𝚗𝚊 🆗 (@Dave_Enna) November 3, 2019

The Ex Machina

When Durant went to Brooklyn, he also took with him a top 20 protected first-round pick. Protected being the keyword. There is absolutely no way that their pick falls out of the top 10, let alone out of the lottery. It is entirely possible the Warriors have one of the best odds at landing the number one overall pick. Could this be a more perfect scenario for Golden State?

Their stars are tired from the half-decade run of dominance and have played at least 100 games each season. Injuries are good and legit excuses for rest. Curry and Thompson aren’t getting any younger. Adding young talent like James Wiseman or LaMelo Ball to the roster would be deadly. Landing a top-3 pick could provide the right boost for the Golden State Warriors to make another three or four-year run. Curry and Thompson will come back healthy as ever next season and a trip to the playoffs will all but be a sure thing. Euripides couldn’t write it better himself.