The Golden State Warriors have seen a defensive renaissance after the end of the regular season, showing a completely revamped spirit in their first two playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs and the New Orleans Pelicans with a renewed presence.
Coming off a season with the most losses since the Steve Kerr era begun in 2014, the Warriors have been true to their brand of stifling defense leading to offense.
“Our guys picked it up right from Game 1 against San Antonio defensively,” Kerr said, according to Logan Murdock of the San Jose Mercury News. “We’ve looked like ourselves as a result because that’s what everything is based on for us.”
The Warriors will now face a different challenge against the Houston Rockets, no longer having to crowd two of the best big men in the game in LaMarcus Aldridge and Anthony Davis, but rather stop the long-shooting pyrotechnics of a Mike D'Antoni led offense.
“I think we’re in excellent shape mentally,” Kerr said. “This is the most dialed-in we’ve been in all year, you can just feel it in practice.”
Yet players like Klay Thompson are plenty aware of those mental lapses that can cost the Warriors the game.
“We’re so talented at times we can get aloof,” Thompson said.
Golden State's ‘Hamptons Five' lineup has been nothing short of stellar during their two games starting together — a lineup that will likely resurface this series, whether they start together or not.
Follow Us
Subscribe