Warriors’ turnaround gives Stephen Curry help now, reason for optimism later

The Warriors were 0-3, and the concerns were familiar. Too old. Too dependent on Stephen Curry. Too many questions about where the help would come from.

Eight straight wins have changed the conversation.

Golden State is 8-3 heading into an extended road trip, with Curry producing at a superstar level and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg giving the Warriors something they badly needed. Namely, another reason to believe.

As Ann Killion of the San Francisco Chronicle writes⁠, Lendeborg’s immediate impact has helped reshape the outlook for both this season and the years ahead.

Draymond Green offered a fairly strong assessment Saturday.

“Our second best player is a rookie,” Green said. “He’s only played 10 games.”

That’s a lot to put on the No. 11 pick. It also says plenty about why the Warriors have looked different.

Curry is averaging 30.6 points, but according to Killion, Lendeborg has helped Golden State survive the minutes when Curry rests. The team’s depth has also allowed Steve Kerr to manage the workload of his veterans.

Those are important developments for a team trying to get more out of Curry’s remaining championship window. He can still do an awful lot. Asking him to do everything is another matter.

Kristaps Porzingis’ absence has also forced an adjustment. Killion notes that using Green at center has allowed Lendeborg to play power forward, a more comfortable fit for the rookie.

The results have given Kerr reason to raise the expectations. Golden State entered Tuesday second in offensive rating and 11th defensively.

“We have a chance to be, I think, a top-10 offense and defense,” Kerr said. “And that’s what it takes to be a great team in this league, a real contender. And that’s our goal.”

The upcoming schedule should offer a better measure. The trip begins with the Rockets and Spurs, and the Warriors still have to determine how Jimmy Butler fits when he returns. Killion reports the hope is that Butler will be back in about two months.

But Golden State has already improved its position. The Warriors can evaluate potential deadline moves while learning what works, with a rookie contributing immediately and Curry still capable of leading the way.

They haven’t settled every question. They have given themselves considerably better ones to answer.

More Hoops: Lakers trade possibilities include two familiar faces for Luka Doncic⁠