5 things we can expect from Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the upcoming 2021-22 NBA season

#3 Strong defense

Andre Iguodala is returning to the Golden State Warriors

While Stephen Curry will lead the team on offense, Draymond Green will continue to marshall the Golden State Warriors defense. Combined with Curry's scoring heroics, one of the main reasons the Warriors were even able to come close to making the playoffs was because of their defensive structure and ability to force opponents into difficult shots.

As a team, the Golden State Warriors finished with the sixth-most steals last season and allowed the seventh-fewest assists. They ranked third and eighth respectively for opposition field-goal and three-point percentages and were among the top ten teams for fewest field-goals allowed. All of this amounted to the Dubs finishing with the fifth-best defensive rating in the league, which will only be improved by the additions of Andre Iguodala and Otto Porter Jr, both of whom have averaged over a steal per game throughout their careers.

#4 Emergence of Jonathan Kuminga

Jonathan Kuminga's rookie photoshoot

Although there was doubt as to whether the Golden State Warriors would keep their seventh overall pick this year, they may have drafted a gem in Jonathan Kuminga. The versatile forward shone for the G-League Ignite last season, averaging 15.8 points and 7.2 rebounds and hasn't slowed down in impressing Dub Nation after his performances at the NBA Summer League.

Jonathan Kuminga is a human highlight reel 👏 pic.twitter.com/NKevqBiW0f

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) August 16, 2021

Across four games in Las Vegas so far, Kuminga has averaged 17.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals. Most importantly, though, he has caught the attention of Warriors stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. According to GM Bob Myers, the two have been impressed with the 18-year-old due to his abilities on both ends of the court.

Although he may not see a lot of game time at first, Kuminga can definitely work his way up the pecking order of a roster that is far from decided.

#5 Struggles in the paint

Minnesota Timberwolves v Golden State Warriors

Despite the Golden State Warriors having a solid defense, they struggled in the paint without a dominant center last season. This may well continue unless their No.2 overall pick from last year, James Wiseman, can develop exponentially.

In the 2020-21 campaign, the Warriors allowed the fourth-most rebounds to opponents and ranked second-worst for most offensive boards allowed. While they finished a respectable 13th for points allowed in the paint per game, they gave up the fourth-most second-chance points to their opposition.

Looking at their roster additions, the Dubs will be hoping that Jonathan Kuminga can make a significant impact on the team's ability to rebound the ball, while Otto Porter Jr. has also proven himself to consistently grab five boards per game.