For the Golden State Warriors, the All-Star break served its purpose as the team’s personal reset button.
Various players and coaches admitted that the team was looking forward to the break while they limped into the midseason classic a half a game behind the Houston Rockets for the number one seed. The Warriors’ mental fatigue was undeniable. It was present when Coach Kerr attempted to shake things up by letting the players coach themselves against Phoenix. It was also evident in the loss against the Blazers.
Since the Warriors pressed ‘reset’, they are riding a five-game winning streak. A streak that includes an impressive 32-point thumping of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder game was the first time in a while that the Warriors clamped down on defense, which is essential in jump-starting the offense.
In addition to the defense, the Warriors only committed 14 turnovers. I mentioned in the last column that when the Warriors commit 16 turnovers or less, they are 38-6. That record is now 42-6 when they turn the ball over less than 16 times per game.
The Warriors’ hot start after the All-Star isn’t a coincidence. Remember, this is the same Warriors squad that’s played nearly 365 games over the past three seasons. Not to mention, miscellaneous games like the China trip in the preseason.
While the Clippers and Thunder games were on a short week, Towns Finest resumes with the best of week 12. Let’s get to it.
KLAY THOMPSON: 26 POINTS 4/6 3’s VS KNICKS
Thompson embodies the mantra of “shooters shoot”, and that is why his shooting woes don’t linger. Against OKC, Thompson struggled to find his shot. In an uncharacteristic shooting night, Thompson scored 11 points on 5/16 from the field and 1/11 from 3. Against the Knicks, Thompson looked for for his shot and he found it. He torched the Knicks’ defense on the perimeter as he paced the Warriors with his lights out scoring.
Given Thompson’s reputation to explode into scoring fits at any given time, it’s crazy to assume that a shooting slump would continue. This performance from Thompson is just another example of him activating his toaster mode.
KEVIN DURANT: 32 POINTS/6 REBOUNDS/4 ASSISTS VS. WIZARDS
KD needed this performance. He owed himself a game against his hometown Washington Wizards to make up for the last time the Warriors were in the “DMV”. Last season, Zaza Pachulia inadvertently fell into Durant’s left leg in the opening moments of the game. As a result, Durant missed a month and some change with a Grade 2 MCL sprain and a tibial bone bruise.
Fast forward to last Wednesday where Durant made up for lost time by efficiently lighting up the Wizards’ defense. Midrange jumpers, threes, dunks, you name it Durant displayed it in front of his hometown crowd. His performance also garnered some props from the opposition.
“When you got KD going out on the break, those are easy points for him,” said Wizards guard Bradley Beal.
When asked about his performance, Durant didn’t hesitate to suggest that he could have played a better game.
“I’m glad we won, but I could have shot the ball better. I thought I played OK. It felt good to get through the whole game.”
Durant shot 12/20 from the field. Other players would obviously love to shoot 12/20 and consider that a bad shooting night but hey do you, KD.
ANDRE IGUODALA: GAME-WINNING STEAL AND DUNK VS HAWKS
When it comes to Iguodala’s game, his impact transcends the stat sheets and box scores. Case in point, Iguodala stripped Hawks’ guard Kent Bazemore and threw down a hammer to secure the Warriors’ 114-109 win on the road against a pesky Hawks team.
The Warriors held a three-point lead with 18 seconds left in the game. The Hawks came back from as much as 15 points behind to make it a tight game. Iguodala pressed Bazemore, picked his pocket and sprinted down the court for the slam. The play was impressive given the fact that Iguodala looked slow and lethargic on offense for most of the year.
In addition to the game winning play against Atlanta, Iguodala seemed to find his groove after the All-Star Break. During the past five games, Iguodala is averaging 7.5 points per game while shooting 68 percent from the field.
While Iguodala describes his performance five games after the break as okay, the steal and dunk only magnifies the playmaking, IQ, and intangibles that he brings to the table.
“It’s all feel honestly,” Iguodala said “You’re up three points. Worst-case scenario, the key is not to give up a three. So you just pressure him up. If you get beat, a two won’t kill you. You can be aggressive in those situations”
During the last few weeks of the regular season, Iguodala seems to be peaking at the right time. Remember, Iguodala’s contributions that don’t show up in the box scores is where you will find and appreciate his impact.
STEPHEN CURRY: 28 POINTS VS HAWKS
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The Chef is tougher than he looks.
After rolling his right ankle on Zaza Pachulia’s foot, Curry returned in the second quarter and torched the Hawks’ defense for 25 points in the first half.
Unfortunately, Curry’s right ankle stiffened during the early minutes of the third quarter. Coach Kerr held Curry out for the rest of the game as a precaution. However, that didn’t stop Curry from trying to return.
Despite the ankle tweak, Curry’s line against the Hawks remains impressive. Once again he exploded on offense after injury, just like he did in a return to the line up after missing December with a right ankle sprain.