Warriors defeat Rockets, 105-78; Quotes of the Night
The Warriors took Game 1 against the Houston Rockets, but may have simultaneously sustained a significant loss.
The long and arduous journey that is the regular season is over. Many records were broken and awards were won. But all of that is meaningless without a title. The road to the championship started yesterday as they played and defeated the Houston Rockets 104-78 in Game 1 of the opening round of the playoffs.
This is a rematch of last years’s Western Conference Finals that saw the MVP and the runner-up go head to head. The Warriors won in five after defeating the Rockets four times over the regular season as well. Prior to this season, this was a budding rivalry between two times trying to cross the threshold from good to great.
When these two teams get together, it’s going to be physical. Patrick Beverly, known pest, was trying hard to get under Stephen Curry‘s skin. Early in the first, Beverly, who sent Russell Westbrook to season-ending surgery a few years ago, was guarding Curry very closely, fouling him repeatedly. Their arms got tangled and Curry took exception to it, giving him a little shove back.
Stephen Curry on pushing Patrick Beverley after tangling up: "It felt it was a little too much, so I protected myself and moved on."
— Janie McCauley (@JanieMcCAP) April 16, 2016
Curry said the way Beverley played him was regular playoff basketball. "Hope I don't get a tech every game, but I like that back-and-forth."
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) April 16, 2016
Head coach Steve Kerr also had some thoughts on Curry’s response.
Asked Kerr if he liked Curry's physical response to Beverley. "Sure, sure," Kerr said. "As long as he doesn't get carried away...
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) April 16, 2016
To many, Curry’s response was seemingly uncharacteristic. The narrative that follows the MVP is that he’s just a finesse player. But this couldn’t be any further from the truth–Curry is a fiery competitor that will get into someone if he has to.
More Kerr: "But I've said since I've been here, Steph comes across as a choir boy, but he's a competitor, big-time competitor."
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) April 16, 2016
While the Warriors dominated and cruised to an easy victory, the win became an afterthought after Curry tweaked his ankle. He’s had ankle problems before so the Warriors want to be especially careful here and not force anything if they don’t have to.
The MVP felt like he was good to go and tried to get himself back into the game.
Curry said he asked Luke Walton and Bruce Fraser to help convince Kerr to put him back in. He said both (sort of) tried, but no go w/Kerr.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) April 16, 2016
Steph Curry asked Kerr 3 times to go back in game. Asked Walton, too. "I was 0 for 3. ... Like a kid in timeout over there on the bench."
— Janie McCauley (@JanieMcCAP) April 16, 2016
If Curry is the kid in timeout, then Kerr is the tough, unwavering father who will get his way.
Kerr on Curry, after seeing him in the 3rd: "We weren't going to play him regardless of what happened"
— Ethan Strauss (@SherwoodStrauss) April 16, 2016
Curry is listed as questionable for Game 2. The Warriors want to play this one safe, obviously.
Steve Kerr on Curry's right ankle: "As far as I understand he rolled his ankle. I don't know how bad it is. We'll see tomorrow."
— Janie McCauley (@JanieMcCAP) April 16, 2016
On Stephen Curry's tweaked ankle, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said: "We are not going to let him play if there is any risk of making it worse"
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) April 16, 2016
While this is a team with All-Stars and fantastic players, the Warriors will only go as far as Curry will take them. Everyone knows that. He’s the best player in the world. Draymond Green talked about it after the game.
Draymond Green on Stephen Curry injured R ankle: "You lose the MVP of the NBA it definitely changes your team. There's some concern."
— Janie McCauley (@JanieMcCAP) April 16, 2016
Curry and the Warriors have a day to rest up and get their bodies right. If I was a betting man, I’d say that Curry plays Game 2 even if it’s just in a limited capacity. He’s too much of a competitor to be held out. He’s smart enough to know just how much he can push himself.