Golden State Warriors

Golden State Warriors: Alpha Dog Rankings coming into December

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Nov 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors bench during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The month of November has seen the Warriors playing an amazing stretch of basketball games. Players’ roles have emerged throughout this time and now it’s time to update the Alpha Dog Rankings.

The Golden State Warriors have played lights out in the month of November. In terms of winning, overall dominance, and competing they have only gotten better. At the current time the team is boasting a 16-2 record on the regular season.

The Dubs are riding a 12 game winning-streak and are the number one ranked NBA team. On top of that, they are leading the league in points per game and assists per game. The defense has improved to 17th in the league in opposition points allowed per game at 104.9.

With a defense coming into form and offense that is definitely above elite status it is safe to say that the Golden State Warriors are coming into it’s identity. Kevin Durant is fitting in well and his versatility is on display. Draymond Green is defending at an elite clip.

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are also more than holding up expectations. With everything going great in Dub Nation it’s time to rank our Alpha Dogs.

November 28, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) shoots the basketball against Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Muscala (31) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Andre Iguodala still remains a steady veteran leader on the Golden State Warriors roster.

Andre Iguodala is the sixth man in Steve Kerr’s rotation. He is the back-up small forward to Kevin Durant, and A versatile swing man who can guard multiple positions. His averages for the NBA regular season thus far are 5.6 points per game, 3.0 rebounds per game, 3.7 assists per game, 1.07 steals per game, and he logs the fifth most minutes per game at 24.1.

The 32-year old veteran is contributing in every statistical category. The role he plays is very important. Andre Iguodala has continued to provide elite defense, play-making, scoring, and rebounding for the Warriors’ second unit.

He is also elite at closing out games with the starters and does a great job with providing all of the little things that the Warriors need and will continue to need. He is past his prime so the fact that he produces like he does and is also a steady option for the Warriors is just another advantage he gives this team.

The combination of big game prowess, his versatile skill set, veteran experience, and talent makes Andre Iguodala the perfect player to number 5 on this list. During this Warriors stretch of basketball and in previous seasons he has been consistent, reliable, and a great locker room presence for the premier team that is the Golden State Warriors.

November 28, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots the basketball against Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Klay Thompson started off slow this season. However, he is definitely solid at number 4 for this coming month.

When the season started,Klay Thompson, who is one half of the greatest shooting back court possibly ever was finding his feet to say the least. Despite these troubles he still managed to be extremely productive by using his elite mid-range game and attacking the rim more.

The toughness and confidence Klay Thompson has shown in his approach to getting back on track is just one of his many redeeming qualities that the Warriors can always count on. Even when we thought Klay was starting off slow we never had a doubt he would round back into form.

The Dubs are trying to build a dynasty here and it is fair to say that Thompson’s work ethic, competitiveness, unselfish attitude, and dedication to success will bode well as a sure thing this franchise needs. He has also picked his numbers up this season.

With season averages of 20.4 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, and 2.1 assists per game you would hardly be able to tell that he has had a down year. This also is an indictment of the winning intangibles that the young shooting guard has. He may be even higher on this list when he gets into mid-season form.

December 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots the basketball against Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) during the game at Oracle Arena. The Rockets defeated the Warriors 132-127 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Durant has blended seamlessly with the Warriors roster and he keeps on getting better.

Kevin Durant is a big-time player. While he was a little shaky against Houston in overtime last night, it is fair to say that no human is perfect and we certainly should not believe Durant to be an exception.

You can honestly feel how you want about how good he has been thus far, however by the numbers he is 27.7 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game, and 4.8 assists per game good. The role he plays is actually quite unique.

While he is good at flowing with the Warriors ball movement, he is great late in the shot clock, and elite as an isolation player on top of what he already does in the Dubs’ system. Kevin Durant has shown a willingness to defend and has made some big plays for the team all season up to this point. His leadership is really deceptive because of his personality, but he definitely is showing flashes as his time with the Warriors increases.

In terms of talent we all know what Kevin Durant is capable of and while that matters a lot, the real reason Kevin Durant is on this list is because he is showing maturity, he is becoming more of an impact player, and his contributions are becoming more timely. While there is always room for improvement, KD is showing just how solid he can be as a contributor on a championship team and not just putting up numbers.

December 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) shoots the basketball against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Rockets defeated the Warriors 132-127 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Draymond Green has asserted his impact this season on many occasions and that should only continue.

Draymond Green has earned the nod to jump up one spot on this list. He was one of the best players on the floor against Houston and he has been that way all season. While he does have this weird thing with kicking at times, that doesn’t take away from the piece of mind and toughness he brings to this team.

The Warriors defense has greatly improved, and the main reason is the guy you see in the photo above. He has brought his ability to anchor the defense to a new level with the absence of Andrew Bogut. Green has a far from exciting stat line, and that is very deceptive of who he really is to this team.

With averages of 10.7 points per game, 9.0 rebounds per game, 7.0 assists per game, and 1.7 blocks per game, you would think he is merely a role player. That could not be further from the reality as Draymond Green is a de-facto play-maker, defensive stopper, and High IQ leader that the Warriors depend on to all of the winning things.

He is the type of player that never say die, and he takes pride in keeping this team off of life-support even in the most dismal looking moments. Without the specimen that is Draymond Green, there is no guaranteed outcome as to what position Golden State would be in.

December 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the basketball against Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Rockets defeated the Warriors 132-127 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Stephen Curry is quietly having a great season with all the buzz of Kevin Durant’s arrival.

How could we forget about the Golden State Warriors’ franchise player, Stephen Curry? The MVP has put together a spectacular season thus far and at the same time he has managed to get the new look Warriors acclimated in their roles.

Stephen Curry is still putting up MVP numbers; 26.7 points per game, 5.9 assists per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, and 1.5 steals per game. He has managed to do this while leading his team to a 16-3 record and the way he has done it is most impressive.

Stephen Curry is an offensive minded point guard, however he knows how potent the weapons around him are and he uses every single one of them. The unselfishness and approach that Curry has taken as a leader on this team is just mind-blowing.

The intangibles on display are an indictment to what he does day in and day out. It is still Stephen Curry’s team and always will be, but the very system that the Warriors use to destroy opponents starts and ends with the limitless skill set that radiates from the two-time MVP.