Yes, I know the Golden State Warriors are the number one team in the league based off their record, and they are only down two games to one. But, if I’m a Golden State fan, I would be worried.

Charles Barkley has mentioned time and time again on Inside the NBA, “You live by the jump shot, you die by the jump shot.” Of course the Warriors don’t believe in that philosophy because they have some great shooters, and it has been working for them during their run to the best record in the league at 67-15 (best in franchise history) and a first round sweep of the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round. However, there are some things you have to consider in Barkley’s statement that makes him sound convincing.

In terms of logic, of course you would rather take higher percentage shots near the basket first before you venture outside

and shoot jumpers or threes because you have a greater probability at making the close shots near the baskets than the ones from behind the three-point line. Most teams go the traditional route and try to play inside out as Barkley suggests. Some teams are more guard and small forward oriented where the majority of their offense comes from jump shots or three-point shots rather than drives to the basket or getting to the free throw line.

If you look back on the history of NBA champions, the majority of them had great or pretty solid big men they could throw the ball into and get some great production out of to open the floor up and open up opportunities for better looks from the outside. I know there are going to be people saying, well what about Jordan’s Chicago teams of the 90s? Or what about the 04 Pistons? Or the Mavs’ 2011 championship squad? Well, Jordan’s teams had Bill Cartwright, who wasn’t a superstar center, but was very solid offensively and played good defense, and Luc Longley, another solid offensive threat and decent defender. For the Pistons, Ben Wallace wasn’t an offensive juggernaut, but he was always in the running for Defensive Player of the Year and Rasheed Wallace could get buckets down low when he wasn’t on the perimeter. The Mavs had Dirk, and for those of you who are going to stop me and say, Dirk was a perimeter player and not a center, you’re correct for the most part. However, Dirk did post up on the block and get points in the paint as well.

Here’s the thing with the Golden State Warriors. I enjoy watching them play. I love the way the Splash Brothers shoot the ball and the way Steph Curry can handle the rock as well as facilitate to the rest of his teammates. However, if their perimeter game is not clicking, and they’re not hitting their shots like they have been for the past couple of games, they’re very vulnerable to being beaten, especially by a very good Memphis Grizzlies team. Memphis plays grind it out basketball and have an inside outside game where if their perimeter game isn’t working, they can go inside to Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol and get points if they need to. Golden State doesn’t have that luxury, and they haven’t been able to capitalize on Memphis’ turnovers whereas the Grizzlies have been able to turn Golden State’s miscues into points.

We shall see if the Warriors can overcome their shooting woes and get their act together in Game 4, Monday night at 9:30 PM ET on TNT.