Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

5 (more) adjustments the Warriors could make

By Carlos Murillo

May 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with center Festus Ezeli (31) against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter in game two of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with center Festus Ezeli (31) against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter in game two of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next

Put Klay Thompson on Westbrook

Warriors
May 22, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles as Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) defends during the first quarter in game three of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The Warriors should put their best man on Westbrook.

Russell Westbrook‘s fantastic season was played, largely, in Curry’s MVP shadow.

This postseason and, more specifically, this series has been Westbrook’s “I told you so!” He’s completely outplayed the MVP, running and finishing over everyone that dares to stand in his way. He’s trying to prove the “Westbrook is holding Durant back” crowd wrong.

Curry is a good defender. In fact, a look back at the tape reveals that Westbrook hasn’t really scored that much on the Warriors’ point guard. Curry has been in his face, forcing misses or tough makes. Westbrook never stops going full speed and chasing him around is exhausting and eventually he’ll break you down, especially with an injured knee.

Putting your best defender on the other team’s best offensive player is smart. It’s not hiding Curry, it’s highlighting Thompson. It’s the best shot the Warriors have at slowing Westbrook down. He can go off at any point, but bothering him early could force him to revert to his inefficient ill-advised shots.

This seems like a no-brainer. And Kerr has gone to Thompson on Westbrook, but he needs to have this matchup from the opening tip.

Next: Defend Everyone

Home/Stephen Curry