Warriors find success with former All-Star's bench role

Per Cleaning the Glass, Paul leads all Warriors in points per 100 possessions at +15.8, turnover percentage at -6.8 percent and points allowed per 100 possessions at -11.2. The sample size is admittedly small at only four games, but the eye test also confirms this.

The Warriors often struggled when Stephen Curry went to the bench, which forced him to cut his rest short, expending more energy and lowering his effectiveness. Through four games this season, Curry is averaging 31.8 minutes per game, down from 34.4 in the previous three seasons. This added rest has already benefitted Curry, as he is averaging 33.5 points per game and 47.1 percent shooting from three, including a 42-point outing against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday.

Having Paul captain the ship when Curry rests also allows the Warriors to have an elite playmaker and floor general on the court at all times. His presence also provides a boost to the team's other bench players such as Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Gary Payton II. In addition, Klay Thompson, who often plays with the second unit to provide an offensive boost, will also be a beneficiary of Paul's new role.

When looking at the Warriors' lineup data, the top two lineups in terms of point differential are Paul with the starting unit — sans Draymond Green — and Paul with the bench unit of Payton, Moody, Kuminga and Dario Saric, with a +6.8 and +5.3, respectively. 

The murmurs about Paul's fit with this Warriors team can be laid to rest, and if they can maintain his health and minutes going forward, they will be one of the more dangerous teams in the Western Conference.