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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 /
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Guard Roberson

Warriors
May 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) celebrates with guard Andre Roberson (21) during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game four of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

The Warriors should start to defend Roberson.

Down 2-1 to the Memphis Grizzlies last season, the Warriors made one of the best adjustments you’ll see in a basketball game.

They opted to let Tony Allen, defensive anchor, have all the open shots he wanted. Kerr “defended” him with Andrew Bogut, allowing Golden State to play 5-on-4. The Warriors have tried to do with Andre Roberson, another poor offensive player and it hasn’t worked.

Obviously, letting Roberson shoot is much better than Durant or Westbrook shooting. This strategy only works, though, when the abandoned player isn’t making anything. This isn’t the case. Roberson is making Golden State play, both inside and out.

He’s knocking down his open threes which are absolute killers for the Warriors. This tactic is also effective when the poor shooter continues to settle, but he’s not. Roberson is playing some incredibly smart basketball, cutting to the basket when the Warriors’ defense has it’s back to him. He’s getting into the paint where he can finish at the rim or dish it off to another cutter or shooter.

Letting Roberson try to create offensively is a smart strategy. But giving him free runs to the rim isn’t. He gets to his spots on the floor and the Warriors start to scramble. Several defenders react and everyone is out of position. They’re trying to do too much defensively. They need to simplify the defense and do what they’ve done all season long.

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