What the Golden State Warriors can learn from the Magic, 76ers and Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks

What the Warriors can take away from the Bucks-Raptors was how the Raptors guarded Giannis compared to how the Bucks guarded Kawhi. The Raptors would give him space to shoot on the perimeter then immediately close that space with multiple defenders.

After Game 2, the Raptors opted to play their defensive supestar Kawhi Leonard on Giannis instead of the lengthy Siakam. It worked. Giannis struggled mightily, scoring just over 20 points per game throughout the last four.

It was the other way around for Leonard.

Kawhi was guarded by Malcom Brogdon for most of the game while obviously seeing various opponents. However, Kawhi never drew the lengthy Giannis. They let Giannis play center field, roaming the paint or weak side in an effort to double any drive by Leonard.

The double didn’t typically come for Kawhi till it was too late, one reason he averaged over 30 points per game and notched a game-changing 30+ in four of the six games. The difference in the superstars ultimately made the series favor Toronto.

Steve Kerr won’t let that happen. He’ll have elite defenders Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala or Draymond Green guarding Leonard, who some consider the planet’s best player.

Leonard won’t beat them. If Lowry, Siakam, Gasol or Ibaka do, so be it, just as long as Leonard doesn’t.