This week, the Golden State Warriors will wrap up a five-game road trip against the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Oklahoma City Thunder, who are the NBA’s top three teams after three weeks. We’ll see if they’re genuine after that,” a Celtics executive admitted prior to the first of those matches.
Take into account that the initial test was successful. Behind Stephen Curry’s brilliance, a couple of Kevon Looney put-backs and a Buddy Hield three-pointer, the Warriors finished a fourth quarter that saw four lead shifts. The Warriors’ 118-112 win brought their record to 7-1, a half-game ahead of the reigning champions. “It’s a declaration,” stated Hield, whose open 3-pointer from Curry put Golden State in front 111-104 with 47.2 seconds left. “If we lose this game, everyone will say, ‘Oh, they didn’t face anyone.'” You need to come and make an impact while on the road, correct? That’s the way the basketball community communicates. They say that if you haven’t faced anyone yet, you become battle-tested, and you need to find out if it’s genuine.”
Much of the hype around Wednesday’s game pit Jayson Tatum opposite Steve Kerr, as if the Celtics star might send a message to the Warriors head coach. Kerr benched Tatum for two games at the Paris Olympics. You would not have known it — at least after the TD Garden crowd booed Kerr’s pregame introduction. Warriors Make a Statement in Boston
“From the beginning, the whole thing was, ‘We’re in this together. We’ve got 12 Hall of Famers, and we’re committed to winning,'” Kerr said. “And we won the gold medal, so I don’t give it a whole lot of thought.”
Otherwise, the 2022 NBA finalists went to work in a brilliant game. One point separated them to start the fourth quarter. Derrick White’s seventh 3 of the night gave the Celtics a 95-88 edge midway through the final frame, and then what Hield described as “championship habits” took over. The Warriors scored on their next seven possessions, including all 10 of Curry’s fourth-quarter points, to seal the deal.
“Regular Steph,” joked Looney.
It’s premature — and possibly unrealistic — to view the Warriors as a genuine title contender once more. Curry is 36 years of age. Draymond Green is 34 years old. Klay Thompson has left, replaced by a group of skilled players, none of whom are likely future Hall of Famers, and most of whom Kerr is still trying to evaluate. Warriors Make a Statement in Boston
Even Curry isn’t currently aiming for his fifth championship. Following a third playoff miss in five years last season, he and the Warriors are once again striving to regain relevance.
“We haven’t accomplished anything so far,” Curry stated. An effective team, or a competitive team, secures the victories they are expected to achieve, snags a few wins on the road against strong opponents, and defends their home ground. We’ve accomplished those tasks up to this point, yet we still have two more games on this journey — two challenging challenges. …
“I appreciate our current position, clearly, but there is still much to accomplish.”
What made Curry hesitate in that reply was Golden State’s extensive rotation, which he referred to as unsettling. He is uncertain about who will be participating each night; he only knows that they must.
“That’s how we must approach the game until we have evidence to the contrary,” Curry stated. “The coach has discussed it endlessly already.” Each practice, every film review, and all pregame discussions convey the identical message. It’s what we are currently; it’s what we must become. “You clearly understand that as the season progresses, rotations become more restricted.”
It is functioning, particularly in defense. The Warriors limited Boston to a season-low 40 points in the first half, employing multiple defenders against the Celtics. Gary Payton II compared Kerr’s 11-man rotation to a line shift in hockey. “Many new players,” he remarked, primarily aimed at Tatum. The Celtics player faced two defenders throughout the evening, ending with 32 points but only two assists and four turnovers. It was unhelpful that Boston was missing his co-star, Jaylen Brown, who is day-to-day due to a hip injury. Warriors Make a Statement in Boston. “Clearly, Boston lacked Jaylen Brown and [Kristaps] Porzingis, so this isn’t the strongest version of their squad,” admitted Kerr, “but they’re still really impressive.” “It’s an incredible victory in a challenging setting.”
Golden State’s defense is currently ranked second in the NBA, just behind the Thunder, permitting 103.5 points for every 100 possessions. That strategy — strong defense, full of vigor, enveloping one Stephen Curry — is one that ought to secure many regular-season victories. It has secured five consecutive victories. Cleveland and Oklahoma City are on standby.
“Curry stated from Boston, ‘It was an excellent challenge.'” “We haven’t accomplished anything, yet it felt nice.”
By David Johnson
Sources: sports.yahoo.com
yahoo.com : Warriors make a statement in Boston, but Stephen Curry says there’s ‘a long way to go
Featuered Image Coutesy of Adam Glanzman’s Flickr creative commons
