To see how the GSW bench was doing currently, I looked at their numbers for the last 15 games. Other bases did not differ much so let us simply look at their Advanced Statistics. The first table shows the entire team’s, the starters, and the bench’s offensive ratings (per 100 possessions), defensive ratings, and net ratings. The bench’s net rating is a negative -2.3 points per 100 possessions.

When we look at the offensive and defensive ratings, we see that the bench’s offensive rating differs from the starter’s by being only 1.1 point per 100 possessions worse – a quite respectable difference. The bench does not shoot as well as the starters, but it offensive rebounds better. However, the bench’s defensive rating is 9.5 points worse than the starters. Realize the bench is generally putting in the poor defensive performance against the other team’s bench.

Among NBA benches, the GSW bench’s offensive rating is fifth over the last 15 games. On defense it ranks 26th over the last 15 games.

Originally last fall, I did a more extensive analysis to identify this problem. Unfortunately, the numbers showing it had returned were so stark that I needed only a simple analysis to confirm is current existence.

Between Christmas and February 1, the GSW bench had better numbers than earlier while Barnes was injured or more recently. The defense was not good, but good enough, as the bench’s offense was quite good. However, roughly the bench’s offensive rating has been descending but not too much and the defensive rating has been rising (that is getting worse) since the first of the year.

During the bench’s prior negative period due to its poor defense, the consensus was this was the result of Barnes’ absence, but what is the cause this time?