Golden State Warriors have the ability to shift gear and find their rhythm. But, it won’t be hot-hand Klay, Steph or KD going forward that makes the drastic change.
The Golden State Warriors have had a struggling season.
Since Harden took over in Oracle, the Dubs have seemed unstoppable and invincible. Actually, they have looked similar to the dominance we saw in the dynasties earlier years. The attitude has changed around the team.
The Warriors have always found hot hands during stretches in the regular season.
Durant is always steady, while Steph explodes here and there. Klay has been a slow starter for the last couple of years. But, this year, KD and Steph carried the team through the first 39 games – on pure offense. That changed when Harden hit the dagger in Oracle.
Somehow it awoke the team.
Klay got hot, then Steph, then KD – and all of a sudden defense was back. Earlier this season the Warriors have been killed by offensive rebounds, giving up far too many extra possession. Big, strong and athletic centers were hurting the team, and the need for a big man or some kind of rim-protector was obvious.
The return of Boogie Cousins wasn’t the quick fix for Golden State – the defensive attitude was.
The Warriors now look like they’re in playoff mode. They are moving quickly on defense which enables them to double team and still make it back contesting shots at their primary defensive task.
Draymond Green has been spectacular for several games now, and the way he craves the rebounds and roars towards the other team opens up the floor for the shooters.
The Warriors have picked up their pace, and right now there’s no stopping them.
Last year when the Dubs hit the playoff, it was also defense that gave them an advantage. They allowed 3.7 fewer points per 100 possessions in the playoffs compared to regular season.
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When Golden State defeated the Pelicans, they held their opponents 16.2 points below what New Orleans had scored against Portland in first round.
They also made Houston go below average. They were held 10.8 points per game below their first two rounds.
The Dubs also have a great sense of defending the three-point shot. The Warriors opponents shot 35.7 percent from three-point range in the regular season. That was the 10th lowest mark in the league. In the playoffs, the percentage was 31.3. Then the best three-point defense in the league.
Also, three of the worst three-point shooting games in the playoffs were against the Warriors. San Antonio, New Orleans and Houston were having off nights against a fiery Golden State defense, and it wasn’t just coincidence.
When the playoffs come this year, the Warriors will still be great offensively. That is a huge weapon for them.
But their shapeshifting defense is the one to keep an eye on. Great defense, fast breaks and good looks for the shooters elevates the Warriors into an impossible opponent. Teams won’t have time to establish their defense.
Pace will kill you here! That all starts with the defense!