Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr wasn't the only one who thought his team took the bait when Kevin Durant taunted LA Clippers guard Patrick Beverley in the late stages of the game, as their dual ejection could have been reason for concern if it took place earlier or in a tight game. Assistant Mike Brown carried Kerr's message soundly, noting the trading of ejections was a bad one for Golden State:
“We don't want to take the bait,” Brown said on SNC: Warriors Playoff Central. “There's no way I'd ever want to trade Kevin Durant for Patrick Beverley. We love the guys that we have on this team, and so one of our keys heading into this series was, we know we have to be poised against this team. They have no other way to beat us unless they junk it up, and they take advantage of us either getting kicked out or doing something silly to make it an advantage for them.”
The Warriors are, in a way, playing against themselves in this very first round, as they are the only one that can defeat this All-Star-laden roster. Golden State failed that test of focus in Game 1 even in a 17-point victory.
Beverley had scored only three points on 1-of-6 shooting, as Clippers coach Doc Rivers started three guards to slow down the Warriors' transition game, putting a pesky Beverley on Durant.
The difference in height and skill proved evident from the start, but Durant let his competitive spirit get the best of him by taunting Beverley at the end of the game, which caused his ejection.
Durant now has two technical fouls already, and you earn a one-game suspension if you rack up seven in the playoffs. As Kerr said in his postgame presser, he best be careful the rest of the way with only four more to play with.
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