Harden and Kawhi are trying to keep their teams afloat despite total lack of organizational support
I'm just going to say it right off the bat: the CSL misses chilikonkarne and cyrisnyte. Not only were these two guys dedicated GMs, but they were solid people, great members of the community, and well-liked all around. I can't remember anyone saying a bad thing about either of them, or ever getting into a heated confrontation with them. The CSL is worse off in their absence, and hopefully one day they'll both be back.
Unfortunately, the teams have to play on without them, and I've been doing my best to keep them both afloat until they are able to find new GMs to care for them and love them the way a team should be. Both teams have had GMs come and go in the past few months, but both are still searching for their forever home. Let's see how they've managed to perform.
Golden State Warriors (37-32, 8th in the West)
The Warriors boast some of the best high-end talent in the league, with two of the CSL's top 10 players in James Harden and Kevin Durant. These two guys are undoubtedly the engine that makes Golden State go.
Harden (35.7 mpg): 29.2 ppg, 4.9 apg, 4.2 rpg, 1.9 spg, 50% FG, 9.2 FTM
Durant (28.7 mpg): 23.6 ppg, 2.5 apg, 5.3 rpg, 54.7% FG, 8.0 FTM
Harden has been an iron man and producing at the same insane rate he always has, while Durant has seen his minutes cut due to health concerns but has played at an inspired level nonetheless. These two combine to attempt 19.6 free throws per game, and both are so incredibly efficient that it has helped carry the offense even though the rest of the team is clearly not up to par with them. The supporting cast has been good enough though, with Favors playing the tough-nosed defense inside, Payne providing additional support on the perimeter, and contributions from the rest of the rotation as well.
Favors: 11.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 0.9 PA/SF
Payne: 11.8 ppg, 5.6 apg, 92.4% STOP
Quarterman: 15.9 ppg, 48% FG
Plumlee: 6.1 rpg
Ross: 41.3% 3PT
The Warriors are currently 2nd in the CSL in offensive efficiency, fueled by their ranking in field goal percentage (5th) and free throws made (1st). If they can improve their defense a little bit (currently sitting at 24th in field goal percentage allowed, 28th in 3 point percentage allowed, and 19th in turnovers forced), they could be a very good team in the West. Unfortunately, it remains to be seen as to whether or not they can do that with their roster as currently constructed.
Toronto Raptors (38-30, t-6th in the East)
The Raptors don't have the same firepower as their Western brethren do, but they feature an incredibly well-rounded attack on both sides of the ball. This is a team that was built carefully over years, through both the draft and through trades, and even without a GM, they are still managing to thrive.
Leonard: 17.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.5 spg, 0.9 bpg, 53.5% FG, 39.2% 3PT, 94.1% STOP
Cousins: 19.6 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.0 spg, 0.8 bpg, 54.5% FG, 5.7 FTM
Joseph: 16.4 ppg, 6.6 apg, 4.0 rpg, 46.5% FG, 83.7% STOP, 0.85 PA/SF
Johnson: 11.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.2 spg, 1.6 bpg, 36.4% 3PT, 85.1% STOP, 0.75 PA/SF
Young: 11.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.7 spg, 51.7% FG, 88.9% STOP, 0.86 PA/SF
Stephenson: 13.8 ppg, 47.4% FG, 71.4% STOP, 0.88 PA/SF
Lin: 10.4 ppg, 4.4 apg, 1.0 spg, 46.3% FG, 84.8% STOP, 0.93 PA/SF
For those counting at home, that's 7 players averaging double figures in points per game. That makes it really hard for teams to figure out how to play them, as they can beat you in so many different ways. They can pound it inside with Cousins, Leonard, Young, and Stephenson (all averaging 6+ FGI attempts per game), they have outside shooting with Johnson, Leonard, and Stephenson (as well as shooting specialist Seth Curry off the bench), they are all capable of putting the ball on the deck and attacking a defense, there just really isn't an easy way to guard this team. They are 6th in the league in offensive efficiency, thanks to the 2nd best field goal percentage and the 7th most free throws made. Unlike the Warriors though, they are at least a capable defense, ranking 14th in field goal percentage allowed, 16th in three-point percentage allowed, and 11th in turnovers forced.
It seems like the Raptors have everything they need to go on another deep playoff run, and after a rough stretch to begin the season, they have really clicked lately, going 13-5 since the All Star break. Health has also played a key factor for them, as Thaddeus Young missed 19 games due to a broken wrist, in which the Raptors only went 8-11. With Young, they have gone 30-19, which would put them in 4th in the East by winning percentage. If they can get into the playoffs with their core 7 healthy and ready to go, they can make serious noise in the playoffs. Toronto is still a team to be feared.