Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Golden State Warriors should revert to original starting five

By Tony Pesta

Apr 18, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) celebrates with guard Stephen Curry (30) after a play against the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter of game two of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) celebrates with guard Stephen Curry (30) after a play against the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter of game two of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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It was nice while it lasted but Stephen Curry’s best Sixth Man of the Year impression should come to an end in Game 5 as the Golden State Warriors look to revert things back to normal and put the series away.

Curry has been coming off the bench for the last four games he made his abrupt return to basketball in the heat of a playoff matchup. In this stretch, Jordan Poole has more than impressed as the Warriors’ starting point guard.

Yet, Game 4 served as a not-so-surprising reminder. Curry is the best player on the team, if not on the planet, and should be in the starting lineup Wednesday.

Why is that? Well, other than Curry’s team-high 33 points, Poole struggled for the first time in what feels like months. The lights felt a tad too bright for the young guard in this game as poor decision-making plagued his prolific start to the postseason.

Poole finished Game 4 with 11 points and 3 turnovers on 3-of-10 shooting. He was a minus-6 in 38 minutes of a game the Warriors lost by five points.

It’s time for Stephen Curry to reclaim his role in the starting lineup and lead the Golden State Warriors to the second round of the NBA Playoffs.

Obviously, Poole will not vanish from the rotation. In fact, there is an argument to be made he should start right alongside Curry as the three guards have made for one of the more exciting five-man groups the league has seen since the death lineup first debuted in 2015.

However, a return to normalcy is likely the best option. The Warriors will still be able to utilize their deadly trio whenever the moment calls for it. But, starting with the traditional group that made the Dubs so potent is something that feels like a no-brainer.

Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney should open Game 5 together. This experienced, battle-tested group is the one that will know how to handle an early punch from Denver.

Sealing the deal on Wednesday and moving ahead to round two will grant the Dubs a chance to rest for the weekend and recoup for a round two showdown with either Memphis or Minnesota.

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