“LOCK IN” TO A CHAMPIONSHIP MENTALITY
During practice this week, Warriors’ GM Bob Meyers addressed the team regarding their technical fouls. The Warriors accumulated 39 techs this year, only trailing the Thunder by one. Green and Durant combined for 25 of those 39 techs. Durant leads the league in ejections.
“Its not a good look,” Coach Kerr said of the technicals, “We need to look more professional, to act more professional and to be more poised.”
Before the Warriors/Spurs game, former Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale said that the techs are a result of entitlement. He said that the Warriors, after three straight trips to the Finals and two championships, are feeling entitled. Fizdale suggested that the Dubs’ sense of entitlement is spilling over to their interactions with the refs.
More from Blue Man Hoop
- 3x champion may come to regret forgoing Golden State Warriors reunion
- Golden State Warriors: History shows USA may need Stephen Curry for more than the Olympics
- 7 players Golden State Warriors might replace Klay Thompson with by the trade deadline
- Golden State Warriors villain pours on more pain to end USA’s World Cup
- Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry continues philanthropic efforts off the court
Here’s the thing: The Warriors sense of entitlement isn’t only spilling over into how they interact with the refs. You can very well say that it’s spilling over into their play.
“Sometimes we take for granted the type of talent we have and think we can just go out there and get it done,” David West said after the Warriors’ 122-105 win against the Spurs, “But we know we have to bring that consistent effort and play with a certain level of force to make teams do what we want them to.”
The Warriors condescend and play down to their opponents at times; hence the losses to the Kings, Hornets, Jazz, and Nuggets. They also have a tendency to play focused, disciplined basketball against teams that they respect.
For the second half of the season, the Warriors must take no one for granted. If they are missing an edge, they can get it back by remembering what it was like to be disrespected.
Next: How do the Golden State Warriors Fix Their Defensive Issues?