Wilting Warriors need to find quick fix for playoff problems
Send a link to a friend
[May 25, 2016]
(Reuters) - The Golden State
Warriors are fast becoming a pale shadow of the 73-win team that
stormed through the regular season and there is no shortage of
theories as to why the league's most dominant team are now on the
verge of playoff elimination.
After Oklahoma City pummeled the Warriors 118-94 to take a
commanding 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven Western Conference Finals
series on Tuesday, questions poured in like Thunder fast-break
points.
Is the team's talismanic MVP Stephen Curry healthy? Did Draymond
Green buckle under the pressure of his near suspension? Is Golden
State finally being crushed by the burden of fulfilling a record
campaign?
Following their latest setback, the first consecutive losses of the
season for the Warriors, the defending NBA champions did their best
to deflect questions demanding an explanation for their demise.
"We had a tremendous season and did something no one has done
before. We're proud of that. But in the playoffs, everyone starts
0-0, so there's no extra pressure," Golden State coach Steve Kerr
told reporters.
On the court, however, the fun-loving Warriors of the regular season
appear to have been transformed into a struggling unit, devoid of
form or fluidity against a highly motivated opponent.
 Curry buried half-court shots on command as he claimed a second
consecutive MVP award but he has been outplayed by Thunder point
guard Russell Westbrook in the conference finals, prompting
inquiries about the right knee he sprained last month.
"I'm fine," said Curry, who has made just 13-of-37 shots in his last
two games.
"In our locker room it's frustration and trying to figure out how we
can get back to being ourselves."
The Game Four spotlight was also shining on Green after he avoided a
suspension despite kicking Thunder center Steven Adams in the groin
during Sunday's 133-105 blowout loss.
The team's emotional leader, Green was subdued during a six-point,
six-turnover night.
[to top of second column] |

Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after a play against the
Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter in game four of the
Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy
Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

"That's the first time in my life I haven't responded to critics,"
Green said of his disappointing display. "That's been my story. I
haven't (responded) so I need to do that."
When the Warriors pushed past the historic 72 wins of the 1995-96
Chicago Bulls it felt inevitable that they would cap that feat with
a second straight title.
Now the odds are stacked against them and the reason for the
turnaround in fortunes appears much simpler than the combined battle
against pressure and health.
The Thunder are bigger, faster and at this moment, better than
Golden State and it does not require a deep investigation to uncover
that.
"(OKC) is outplaying us right now and we have to come up with
answers," Kerr admitted.
Those answers need to be found quickly with Game Five coming up in
Oakland on Thursday.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by John O'Brien)
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |