The Golden State Warriors laid down an emphatic marker in their 117-99 win over the Brooklyn Nets this week. It was reminiscent of the Warriors’ championship-winning form. A Draymond Green masterclass on the defensive end, and a cold-blooded Stephen Curry offensive clinic to match.
The two leaders of the team, the heart and soul of the Warriors dynasty. Curry and Green have long been the barometers for how engaged the Dubs will be on any given night. Sloppy passes and errant turnovers are a common theme in matchups where the stakes aren’t too grand. Though when locked in for a game that truly matters to them, they rarely disappoint.
A November matchup against the Nets of course pales in comparison to any of the countless playoff games these two have suited up together for. However, with the Warriors back on top of the NBA standings and a date with an old friend on the calendar – this game offered more than enough added motivation. A matchup against Brooklyn offered a chance to send a message. On Tuesday night, Curry and Green had that familiar look in their eyes.
Green is making his case for Defensive Player of the Year
The Warriors’ defense anchored by Green suffocated the Nets in the second half especially. Green himself took on the responsibility of trying to neutralize his former teammate. He did so successfully, smothering Kevin Durant and forcing him into his worst shooting night of the season.
The Dubs started off the game by switching everything on defense, allowing Durant to exploit mismatches and help himself to 12 first quarter points. However, as we’ve already seen so often this season the Warriors flipped the switch in the third term. Green led the charge – the power forward contested five of Durant’s eight shots after half time, a stretch in where the Nets superstar went 0-8 from the field.
It was a momentum-swinging, game-winning defensive stretch by arguably this generation’s greatest defender. The Warriors outscored the Nets by 17 points in third quarter. Green even knocked down a three in the face of Durant just for good measure. A statement game for Green individually – he’s this season’s clear frontrunner for defensive player of the year.
Steph Curry is on another level right now
On the offensive end, the game’s greatest showman put on a captivating shooting clinic. Curry’s 37 points against Brooklyn came on only 19 shots and in just 29 minutes.
With each long-range bomb that dropped a resounding message echoed with it. Loud and clear throughout the Barclays center – the Warriors are the team to beat this year.
If you had just casually flicked on the TV, you might’ve not realized it was a Nets home game. A party-like atmosphere reverberated around the arena – a crowd of 17,000 seemingly all there for the man in the arena, Steph Curry.
Dub Nation had infiltrated the Barclays center and bared witness to what Durant described as – a master at his craft. Curry’s usual magnetic joy was on display but so was a quiet viscousness. He sensed blood in the water and went for the kill in the fourth quarter as Durant and Harden looked on from the bench.
In the house in which his former championship teammate resides, Curry was showered with MVP chants and urged to shoot every time he touched the ball. As a finishing touch Curry even drained a near half court rainbow heave after a timeout call, just for the crowd’s delight. A showman through and through.
Curry and Green are on a mission this year
Curry’s encore to the performance in Brooklyn was pouring on a casual 40-points in a come from behind victory against the Cavaliers. He’s on pace to make 443 three-pointers this season, a feat that would obliterate his previous record of 402 set in 2016.
The Warriors have always gone as their two leaders have. Curry and Green are both on a mission this season. They’ve heard the chatter – heard the noise and they’re coming for everyone. Green said it himself – “don’t let us win a f*cking championship, because you got to f*cking hear it from me.”