This season, the Warriors have not been spared from injuries (Chris Paul, Gary Payton II, Moses Moody) and absences (Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins). But on Wednesday evening, against the Bucks all their players were available and Steve Kerr's choices provided information on their way of approaching this last month of the regular season. Objective: enter the Top 6 in the West.
A rotation that is taking shape
Before the meeting, Steve Kerr announced that he had to choose between 12 players to build his rotation. That’s a lot of people for 240 minutes. If we exclude garbage time, Kerr allowed 10 minutes or more to 10 players. For his part, Kevon Looney played 5 minutes in the first half, and Dario Saric, who had been struggling for a month, lost his place in the rotation in favor of Trayce Jackson-Davis.
The other beneficiary of the evening is Moses Moody. The winger who had been good as a starter during Andrew Wiggins' absence has earned his place in the rotation and he proved why again tonight.
“We're going to need Loon (Kevon Looney) in some matchups during the playoffs, but I know I can trust him. “That’s why we gave Trayce (Jackson-Davis) more playing time to help him be ready for the playoffs,” Kerr explained. “He needs playing time but you can see the impact he has on the game. He has an ability to finish and counter which gives us another style. Moses (Moody) was also given a bigger role. They were both fantastic tonight. »
Kerr also conceded that he would like to limit his rotation to 10 players with Looney and Dario Saric stuck at the end of the bench for the moment. The Croatian, weak link in defense, has also lost his address since the death of Dejan Milojevic, making him almost useless for Steve Kerr. The technician does not, however, close the door to a return to favor if the circumstances lend themselves to it.
“Dario (Saric) is a professional. I always try to give my players time to get out of a bad situation but we also have to give playing time to players who are playing well at the moment or better than him,” he explains. “It’s always a difficult decision to make but it’s part of our job but we will need Dario, the season is not over for him. And I know he will be ready when I call on him. »
A second five that promises
Andrew Wiggins back, Kerr aligned his new starting five (Curry, Podziemski, Wiggins, Kuminga, Green), to then trust a “second unit” which mixes experience (Chris Paul, Klay Thompson, Gary Payton II) and youth (Moses Moody, Trayce Jackson-Davis).
Since the start of the season, Golden State's replacements have been there. It was they, along with Stephen Curry, who held the team at arm's length during the sluggish debut of Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Kevon Looney. With everyone healthy with clearly defined roles, the Warriors' bench has depth and allows Steve Kerr to play a different style.
“Since everyone is available, our second five has a lot of talent,” enjoyed Kerr after the meeting. “Just being able to pair Chris (Paul) and Klay (Thompson), a backcourt of Hall of Famers, is fantastic. To that, you add Trayce who offers a solution for Chris Paul on the pick-and-roll. You add Moses who can spread defenses, BP (Brandin Podziemski) who is an additional creator that we like to have on the field with this group to start the 2nd and 4th quarters. We really like this combination and tonight they performed well. »
Last night, the Warriors bench beat that of the Bucks 53 to 30. Kerr did not mention Gary Payton II but since his return, the defensive specialist has also brought another dimension to Golden State. He can take over from the Green – Kuminga – Wiggins trio and always manages to find the gap behind the defense on the other side of the field.
Confirmation of a renewal
Despite the big defeat in Boston, the Warriors have won 14 of their 18 games since January 30. It's quite simply the best record in the league, the best average in assists (31.7) and rebounds (49.8). It’s night and day with their start to the season.
This version of Golden State has a lot more energy on both ends of the court, the ball moves, the defense is more active, and that was seen again last night. They finished the game with 37 assists for 14 loose balls, and recorded 14 blocks and 10 interceptions to slow down the Bucks who arrived at the Chase Center in full swing. This performance reflects Golden State's newfound state of mind.
“We were altruistic,” simply sums up Steve Kerr. “I didn’t see any bad shots tonight. We played simple, we moved the ball towards the player who was open and we put pressure on their defense thanks to that. The key has really been this simplicity. »
The Warriors are first and foremost a state of mind
Despite significant changes this season, notably with Klay Thompson put on the bench three weeks ago, the Warriors nevertheless managed to let the storm pass to move forward. For Kerr, it was the foundations of Golden State's culture that allowed his team to stay the course despite a complicated season.
“For years, Loon has set the tone in the locker room. He always put the collective before his personal goals. CP (Chris Paul) who arrives this summer and who agrees to come off the bench for the first time in his career, that also sets the tone and it gives an indication to the rest of the squad that the team and winning come first. All, “ Kerr explained. “And I see it throughout our group. There is chemistry, a desire to play for your teammate, no one sulks when they play less. This state of mind made the difference and allowed us to raise our heads, and now everything is getting back to normal. »
Comments collected in San Francisco.
