It was not the perfect match but Golden State, however badly embarked five minutes from the end of the match, found a way to win. Back to four encouraging elements on which the Warriors can rely to confirm their renewal.
The defense regains color
That was the big problem with Golden State’s start to the season: their defense was not up to par. The Warriors are the team that commits the most fouls in the league, they lacked discipline in defensive rebounding, but also in respecting the game plan. Tonight, against the Cavs who presented themselves with the second best offensive evaluation of the NBA, Steve Kerr’s men responded to release their best defensive performance of the season.
“It was our best game of the season. We were all focused, and rigorous, both starters and substitutes. underlined Draymond Green. “They had 26 free throws, but I think we were still able to defend without making mistakes. »
Everything was not perfect, however, as evidenced by the 14 offensive rebounds left to the Cavs, but in effort and intensity, the Warriors were much better. It all started with Draymond Green and Kevon Looney who set the tone, but Steve Kerr and the strong winger both wanted to note the excellent defensive performance of Klay Thompson, despite an address still at half mast.
“He works hard, he was spared in training camp and I think it still affects him but he is improving,” reassured Steve Kerr. “For example, I found his defense on Donovan Mitchell fantastic, especially late in the game. »
Golden State limited Cleveland to 40% shooting success, including just 26.7% from 3-pointers. Their bench, reduced in the absence of Dean Wade, scored only 15 points.
Steve Kerr’s Tight Rotation
In addition to the six major, Steve Kerr this night trusted Donte DiVincenzo, back from injury, Jonathan Kuminga, and the “two-way player” Anthony Lamb. This nine-man rotation allows Steve Kerr to have two starters on the field at all times, and to alternate between Kevon Looney and Draymond Green at position 5. James Wiseman and JaMychal Green therefore remained on the bench, as did Moses Moody and Ty Jerome.
In the second half, Steve Kerr also did not opt for Jonathan Kuminga. He, Moses Moody and James Wiseman, who are presented as the next generation for the Warriors, therefore received a total of four minutes of playing time. The coach explains this decision by a desire to consolidate his foundations to seek victories, before being able to open his bench a little more again.
“We haven’t opened our bench too much in the last two games but when you’re in the tough you have to find a way to get your head above water and then everything becomes easier” explained the coach of Golden State. “We are getting our heads out of the water and when our game is better established, I think we will be able to have more players in the rotation again and it will be easier for them to be in the game. comfortable and to have confidence in them and in our collective. »
The presence of Anthony Lamb in this rotation is however the surprise of this start to the season. Signed as a “two-way contract” a few days before the end of training camp, the former Thunder player has earned his playing time thanks to his work ethic and a playing profile that fits perfectly with what Steve is looking for. Kerr.
If he is less talented than Moses Moody or Jonathan Kuminga, he currently feels the game better and that is why he was rewarded with 23 minutes of playing time.
“He understands how to play, he knows where to position himself on the pitch, he is skilful, he plays hard” listed a glowing Draymond Green. “Since he’s been here, I always see him arrive two, three hours before training to work and I’m super happy for him because he’s been rewarded. »
Jordan Poole’s Awakening
In the hard since the start of the season, Jordan Poole was much more fluid last night. If he got lost at times in his dribbling, he was still more incisive with the ball in his hands but also in his movements. His 18 points on 50% shooting success did the Warriors a lot of good, in support of Stephen Curry.
“It was only a matter of time to see him explode, and it’s the same for Klay [Thompson]» described Steve Kerr. “I knew it was going to settle down for Jordan. He proved what he is capable of last season by helping us win the title. It’s not the first time he has to react but he does it every time. »
Draymond Green also explained that Jordan Poole is adapting to the new attention that the opposing defenses are giving him.
“When he arrives in the dribble, the whole defense is focused on him and tonight he managed to recognize him, let go of the ball and move so that he could then recover it and attack. It’s something he has to learn because he had a great season last year and now the teams have had the whole summer to study his game.” described the strong winger. “He is in this phase of recognition, of adaptation to be able to find how to score, how to attack. And it’s a compliment to see the defenses play you like that. »
Stratospheric Stephen Curry and Draymond Green
39, 47, and 40 points. Or Stephen Curry’s total points in the last three games, all at 65% shooting success! The MVP of the last Finals has been on another planet since the start of the season. The Cavs, who arrived at Chase Center with the third-best defense in the league, couldn’t do anything to slow down the Warriors point guard. He scored 15 of his 40 points in the last quarter, and continues to attack and finish in the circle with an efficiency worthy of a pivot (79% on the season!).
“I don’t know what adjective to use to describe Steph anymore. [Curry]» sighed Steve Kerr after the meeting. “He’s just amazing game after game. The main difference that I find since my arrival is his physique. He is stronger, more enduring and that allows him to take on both sides of the field, to defend hard, to finish in the circle. He is incredible. He has never been so strong. »
Despite the fireworks from Stephen Curry, we must also highlight the capital performance of Draymond Green, this night against the Cavs. His defensive intensity set the tone for all of his teammates and he insisted on pushing the ball as soon as possible to set up the tempo he wanted, in order to tear down the Cavs defense and his two interiors. Draymond Green finished the game with 13 assists and 0 stray balls.
“Draymond was amazing tonight,” noted Kevon Looney. “We need Steph and Draymond to show us the way when there’s adversity and that’s what they did against Sacramento and tonight against Cleveland. »
Interview in San Francisco.
| Shots | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | bp | Int | CT | party | Points |
| Stephen Curry | 10 | 35.1 | 51.2 | 43.1 | 93.4 | 0.8 | 6.3 | 7.1 | 6.9 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 2.1 | 32.6 |
| Andrew Wiggins | 10 | 34.0 | 47.9 | 40.3 | 70.8 | 1.7 | 4.4 | 6.1 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 18.2 |
| Jordan Poole | 11 | 28.9 | 40.6 | 30.1 | 80.5 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 4.9 | 3.2 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 2.5 | 15.2 |
| Klay Thompson | 9 | 28.0 | 36.0 | 32.6 | 80.0 | 0.2 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 15.1 |
| Draymond Green | 10 | 29.8 | 60.9 | 30.0 | 58.8 | 0.7 | 5.4 | 6.1 | 5.6 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 3.5 | 9.1 |
| Anthony Lamb | 3 | 20.4 | 56.3 | 44.4 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 2.7 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 7.3 |
| James Wiseman | 10 | 13.8 | 60.4 | 0.0 | 65.2 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 7.3 |
| Kevon Looney | 11 | 23.4 | 62.0 | 0.0 | 61.5 | 2.2 | 4.5 | 6.6 | 3.3 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 3.2 | 6.4 |
| Moses Moody | 11 | 16.9 | 40.7 | 35.3 | 80.0 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 6.2 |
| Ty Jerome | 8 | 15.0 | 53.3 | 37.5 | 100.0 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 6.0 |
| Donte Divincenzo | 3 | 14.0 | 45.5 | 33.3 | 75.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 5.0 |
| Jonathan Kuminga | 8 | 14.0 | 43.8 | 11.1 | 83.3 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 1.8 | 4.9 |
| Jamychal Green | 10 | 17.1 | 43.2 | 23.5 | 80.0 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 4.7 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 4.6 |
| ryan rollins | 4 | 3.2 | 40.0 | 50.0 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.8 |
| Patrick Baldwin, Jr. | 2 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
