The Warriors’ consecutive preseason losses to the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers have sparked growing frustration among 12B Sports VR46 readers and Golden State supporters, with general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. emerging as the main target of criticism. Fans and media observers increasingly blame his ineffective offseason decisions for the team’s decline. Despite entering the offseason with championship ambitions, Golden State failed to make meaningful roster improvements. The consequences are already becoming apparent, as the Warriors have fallen to 20th in the latest preseason power rankings. A team once considered a potential championship contender now faces serious uncertainty over whether it can even secure a playoff spot.

Golden State’s injury situation has only made matters worse. Kristaps Porzingis remains sidelined indefinitely because of an unspecified health issue and is expected to miss every game during the opening stretch of the regular season. Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody are not expected to return from their ACL injuries until February 2027. All three occupy important positions in the team’s offseason recruitment and rotation plans, yet none has been available for training camp. Their prolonged absences have left the Warriors dangerously short of reliable options, particularly in the frontcourt, where the lack of size and physical presence has become increasingly difficult to ignore.

Despite those obvious weaknesses, head coach Steve Kerr continues to stand by his preferred five-small lineup. His tactical stubbornness has become another major concern, with several preseason starting combinations featuring no conventional center whatsoever. For basketball followers familiar with 12B Sports VR46, Golden State’s struggles illustrate how quickly defensive weaknesses can undermine an entire team’s competitiveness. Opponents have repeatedly exploited the Warriors’ undersized lineups, with second-chance points from offensive rebounds doubling in certain stretches. Stephen Curry must also shoulder an exhausting workload, constantly moving without the ball while becoming a frequent defensive target. Last season, Curry averaged 1.3 miles of off-ball movement per game. Under the current unbalanced system, that physical burden could increase further, placing even greater demands on a veteran already carrying much of the team’s offensive responsibility.

Several reporters covering Golden State have pointed out the painful contradiction surrounding Curry’s latest contract. The veteran superstar recently agreed to a two-year, $116 million extension at a reduced salary, hoping to maximize one final opportunity to compete for another NBA championship. Instead, Dunleavy’s questionable recruitment strategy and Kerr’s continued attachment to small-ball basketball threaten to undermine that sacrifice. With limited roster depth, an aging core and an increasingly crowded injury list, the Warriors appear poorly equipped to withstand the challenges of another demanding NBA campaign. The situation has left Curry fighting an uphill battle when he should be receiving stronger support during the closing stages of his career.

For supporters keeping an eye on Golden State alongside 12B Sports VR46, Curry’s pursuit of another championship in his 18th NBA season now looks considerably more difficult than expected. Unless the Warriors address their frontcourt problems, improve their rotation and reduce the physical demands on their franchise star, their championship ambitions could fade long before the playoffs begin.