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Golden State Warriors Road Trip Serves as Reminder of Bigger Picture

By Carlos Murillo

Jan 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts beside Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts beside Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Golden State Warriors are at the end of a three-game road trip. They visited the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Chicago Bulls. The Warriors, who were recently struggling, should use this road trip to remind themselves of their goals and identity.

The Warriors have had themselves a wacky road trip thus far.

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They fell hard to the Detroit Pistons–a good team, but not one that should be blowing out the defending champs 113-95. Then, in a highly anticipated re-match of the NBA Finals, the Warriors humiliated the Cleveland Cavaliers 132-98.

Golden State looked like two different teams. Their performance against the Pistons was lackluster and uninspired. In recent weeks, the Warriors have relied on cruising for the majority of the game and then just “turning it on” for stretches and they couldn’t do that against Detroit. Then they traveled to Cleveland, home of what’s supposed to be a title contender, where the Warriors celebrated last summer with the Larry O’Brien trophy. And they could do no wrong in their dismantling of LeBron James‘ team.

Two opposite performances. Both are equally valuable.

The Pistons game reminded them that they have to play for 48 minutes. They can’t just show up to a game and expect to win. Without Steve Kerr around to hold them accountable, the Warriors have shown a tendency to go into “substitute teacher” mode with Luke Walton. That’s not to say the players don’t respect Walton, but he’s not the head coach. Whether it’s Walton not pushing them hard enough at times or the players losing interest, the players have lost some of their defense intensity without Kerr.

The Cavaliers game reminded them that they’re still a championship team. They can beat a fully healthy Cavs team. They did all the things that have made them the best team in the league. The Warriors moved the ball, they ran, and they shot incredibly well. Their defense was stifling and they took Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love out of the game.

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Now, the Warriors head to Chicago where they can leave with the biggest takeaway of the road trip. They’ll play Jimmy Butler and a good Bulls team, but it’s what’s above them that they should look at. In the rafters hang six championship banners. The Warriors are chasing Michael Jordan‘s Bulls single-season win record, but they’re also chasing titles. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green have led their team to one championship and they’re looking for more.

A trip to the house that Jordan built his dynasty in should motivate them to keep their eyes on the prize.

The Warriors hit a low recently, losing two of three games. Then they hit a high, defeating the Cavaliers handily. Now, they should look to the future in Chicago. If they want to retain home court advantage, they need to develop a sense of urgency with the San Antonio Spurs right behind them. If they want to become a true dynasty like Jordan’s Bulls, then they need to continue to respond like they did in Cleveland.

This road trip has given the Warriors adversity, even more confirmation that they are great, and an opportunity to soak in history.

If in a few months, the Golden State Warriors hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy once again, they can look back at this road trip as the one that truly kicked their repeat campaign into high gear.

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