With the Golden State Warriors losing close games recently on Friday to the Oklahoma City Thunder (113-112) and Wednesday to the Dallas Mavericks (103-99), it was important for the team to come out and play a full 48 minutes against the Sacramento Kings. And while the Warriors did give up a big lead, still made turnovers, and were still in foul trouble, Stephen Curry and Andrew Bogut came through with high-IQ plays on offense and defense, respectively, while Draymond Green added a hustle play, to seal the deal.
While there were many highlights in this game, as #SplashBros mode was in full effect with Klay Thompson on fire, hitting a career-high eight threes, what stood out in this game was Curry’s play, a clear step forward in his ascension as a bonafide NBA superstar. You can also add Bogut’s split-second defensive strategic thinking to that mix. Both will be of supreme importance come playoff time in May 2014.
With a little over 12 seconds left to play and the game tied at 113-113, the Kings had a foul to give (i.e., they had three team fouls and the opponent automatically shoots two on the fifth team foul in each quarter), and it’s a well-known NBA defensive strategy to go ahead and purposely take the fourth team foul at about eight or seven or fewer seconds remaining in order to essentially “waste” the seconds on the clock leading up to it, as well as take the team you are guarding a little out of rhythm, as they would have to call another play for the ensuing inbound.
But Curry thought ahead and, knowing his defender would employ that age-old strategy, attacked the basket early to see what he would get. Indeed, he got the foul and was already in motion for a shot. Even though he pleaded his case that he was in the act of shooting, he didn’t need to. It was obvious that he was. And the referee agreed. Two free throws.
You don’t see many players, superstars or not, have the IQ and the skill to pull that move off.
Then on the next possession, Isaiah Thomas beat Thompson off the dribble, although Thompson had to guard against the outside shot and knew he had Bogut behind him to protect the rim. Thomas was attacking the basket for a layup and, as any quality guard in the NBA would do, decided to try a reverse layup, in essence using the rim to shield him from defenders. But Bogut anticipated that and met him for a blocked shot to save the game, on the opposite side of the rim from where he started.
Two truly unique, high-IQ decisions by Curry and Bogut. Very impressive.
Here’s Sarah Todd with a recap of the game’s final moments:
Marcus Thornton hit his fifth three-pointer after Curry turned over the ball with a bad pass, and suddenly it was a one-point game with five minutes to play and a battle to the finish.
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The last four minutes of the game was a back-and-forth tussle that included six lead changes, three ties, and Curry sealing the victory at the charity stripe.
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With 8.6 seconds on the clock, John Salmons fouled a driving Curry to send him to the line. Curry made good on both free throws, giving the Warriors a two-point advantage.
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On the Kings’ final attempt, Andrew Bogut blocked Isaiah Thomas’ layup attempt, snagged the rebound and sent the ball soaring at the buzzer.
Here’s Marcus Thompson on Curry:
Yes, he has his flaws. He turns it over too much (he had seven against the Kings). He doesn’t get to the free throw line enough. You can go at him on defense and have success. All true. But stars aren’t judged by what they can’t do, instead milked for their greatness. No one’s taking the mic from Adam Levine because he can’t sing bass.
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The Warriors will only be as good as Curry plays, only go as far as he takes them. That is especially true in close games. So the onus is on Mark Jackson and his staff to maximize his strengths not just hide his weaknesses.
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And if Curry can’t carry this team, then its time to blow the roster up anyway. So, at worst, you find out early if he’s the top 10 player many experts peg him to be.
Marcus’s entire post is worth the read.
From Monte Poole‘s recap:
With a few momentary exceptions, the final eight minutes of the game belonged to Curry. One possession after another, the fifth-year point guard found a way to make an impact, putting on a display of leadership that won’t soon be forgotten by those watching on TV or witnesses at Sleep Train Arena.
More from Poole’s instant recap:
STANDOUT PERFORMERS: Thompson’s 3-point shooting dominated the first half, but Curry carried the weight after intermission, scoring 23 points over the final 24 minutes.
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TURNING POINT: Curry’s jumper, giving the Warriors a lead with one minute to go – coming right after Thomas missed a 3-point jumper that could have put the King up by three.
If you’ve followed our Instagram account, you know that Curry practices the pinch post jumper a lot.
Let’s not forget Klay. Here’s Rusty Simmons‘s recap, with Coach Mark Jackson‘s pregame premonition:
“I really do like the direction we’re headed,” Warriors head coach Mark Jackson said before the game. “We’re going to stay the course, and I think we’re due a breakout. We’re going to play particularly well on both sides of the basketball for a long stretch.”
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As the coach predicted, Thompson rediscovered his stroke early against Sacramento (4-11), and Curry piled onto the backcourt’s onslaught in the second half. Curry finished with 36 points and 10 assists – his sixth career 30-10 game and first since his rookie season, and Thompson added 28 points.
I’ll be at practice this week to catch up on our last interactions with the Warriors after the road trip and before setting off on another one later this week, following tomorrow night’s game at #Roaracle against the Toronto Raptors.
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