The Golden State Warriors committed 26 turnovers in a surprising home loss to the Detroit Pistons at Oracle Arena. Oracle — commonly known as Roaracle for the Warriors’ fans passionate vocal support for their team — was frequently quieted by the carelessness. The Warriors are prone to turning it over, of course, because they move the ball at a frenetic pace and get lots of touches — but considering their movement the turnover rate is usually livable. It hasn’t been a major issue for the team that has won two of the last three NBA titles. That was then, this is now. The Pistons scored 33 points off the Warriors giveaways, winning 115-107. (Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was incredulous, saying “some passes are just hitting guys in the shoes.”)
The cream of the crop in recent NBA years has been far and away the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but both teams are struggling to kick off their 2017-18 campaigns. (The regular season San Antonio Spurs are also among the NBA’s perennial elite, but they’ve done little in the playoffs the last couple of years.) The Cavs have now lost three straight to move to 3-4, including an unconscionable loss to the New York Knicks. The Warriors, 4-3, have looked little like the defending NBA champions on the court due to their sloppiness. Up-and-comers like the Celtics, Wizards, Rockets, Grizzlies, Bucks and Clippers hope this all means a mix-up, a changing of the proverbial guard, among the NBA elite. The Warriors 26 turnovers is the most by the team since it was led by former coach Mark Jackson during the 2011 season.
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