When the 2022-23 NBA season began, the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers were seen as the two teams to beat in the Western Conference. And on the eve of their first matchup of the season — the first of four — neither team finds itself where it wants to be.
The Warriors, at 8-10, are currently outside of not just the playoffs, but the play-in tournament. Poor defense, one of the worst benches in basketball, and a clumsy attempt at balancing two timelines has them looking nothing like the team that hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy less than half a year ago.