The Warriors Played This Perfectly

[Music] The Golden State Warriors are poised to bounce back after their first loss of the season. Unlike Donovan Klingan, who’s never bouncing back from this. Despite losing to Portland, early season losses are some of the best teachers in the game. Nothing helps a coach learn more about his players than what happens when the chips are down. Nothing tells you more about a team than adversity on the second half of a back-to-back after playing and winning against one of the best teams in the league. The Warriors game against the Trailblazers was there for the home team to win. Not only was that battle against the Nuggets exhausting, it went into overtime against a formidable team led by a top two player in the world, a scheduled loss. Still, there was plenty to be excited about as we saw just how much room for error remains on the roster. In the last video, we talked about how important it was for a proper reintegration of Moses Moody into the lineup. He’s back from injury and Steve Kerr made the right decision, albeit with some questionable execution. While Moses Moody came off the bench, Kerr opted to start with Quinton Post, a change in the formula reflecting the decision to keep Horford out of back-to-back games as well as keeping Draymond Green from playing too many minutes at center. But there is another move that Kerr made as well that could have some adverse impact to one of the young players. The Warriors already being short-handed and having to be further restricted coming up against a team that thrives on pace, length, and athleticism is a recipe for a difficult road ahead. But if we learned one thing, it’s how important this one player is to the Warriors, and what they’ll have to do to have their best chance of winning the toughest games for the rest of the season. Now, get ready. you’re about to get. [Applause] Clearly, back to backs on the road are very difficult. What’s important, however, isn’t the overall result, win or lose, but at what point the team ran out of enough juice to stay with their opponents and how the coach handled that moment. And that happened right as the game approached halftime, specifically with 3 minutes left to go in the second quarter. At this point, Jonathan Kaminga leaves the floor with the Warriors down two and the Portland Trailblazers go on a run to end the first half up by 13 points. This margin ensured the Warriors would never catch up to the young team. While JK sat for those few minutes, the Warriors lost the guy who was guarding the Blazers best player who got hot around the same time. They didn’t have another elite athlete or athletes with size and length to match Portland’s pace who was ready and not worn down from the game the night prior. But this isn’t a crying session. Matchup wise, the Blazers are a tough win for the Warriors. While they’re not a better team, they have the physical tools to make things difficult for Golden State, whereas they would not fare as well against other teams such as the Rockets or the Timberwolves. This isn’t a knock on the Blazers. The Portland Trailblazers are a very good team. Um, you come to play Portland, there ain’t no more nights off. Ain’t no more give me wins versus Portland, man. And uh John, you got those guys picking up full court 94 ft every play. And they rotating bodies like five in, five out. Somebody else picking you up full. Somebody else picking you up full. Hey, I’m not going to lie, it’s crazy. Then they go five five smalls and everybody’s 66, 69 through 66. So I’m not going to lie, I love I love the team. While their record in prior years have them near the bottom of the standings and they’ve recently traded one of their best young talents in Infernie Simons, they’ve most definitely improved coming into the season. Despite losing, they recently played a competitive game against last season’s Western Conference finalists, the Minnesota Timberwolves, where they led for the first three quarters before getting outscored in the fourth. Their inexperience made it difficult for them to close. The worst thing you can do is overreact to a team or a player’s floor on display, especially this early in the season. If it’s one thing I can bet on is that certain guys will get better as the season progresses. Most notably, Brandon PMKI. Pods is having a rough start to the season and three games in is averaging nine points, five boards, and one assist while shooting 36% from the field and 31% from three in 30 minutes. But this is nothing new as he has noticeably struggled to start each of his first two seasons before finding his flow somewhere down the line. Some of you might have noticed that he wasn’t in the starting lineup without Horford or Moody threatening that position. Kerr instead opted to go with Curry, Jimmy, Kaminga, Draymond, and Post. Because it was the second leg of a backto-back, it’s likely Curry used the opportunity to try the alternative lineup. I’d expect come Monday night, the Warriors field a lineup of Curry, Moody, Kaminga, Jimmy, and Draymond, or some variation of the sort. A week or two ago, I suggested the Warriors run a lineup featuring Curry, Jimmy, Kaminga, Draymond, and Horford while Moody was out, and it did in fact happen. Kur stated this was suggested to him by assistant coaches Terry Sts, and Chris Demarco. When did you decide to go to the jumbo lineup? It was during a timeout. Terry suggested it. Chris DeMarco also suggested it. They just thought the way Steph was going with Jimmy out there, we were going to score. You know, that was my biggest concern. Can we execute? They just reminded me, we have Steph and Jimmy and they’ll find a way to score. And they did. And and it was fantastic to watch the defense with that kind of size and length. I know you’ve spent, you know, probably a month talking about various combinations. Is that one you even thought you might go to? We never even talked about that combination until tonight. And but it just felt like the right thing to do. You just couldn’t stop them. We felt like to win the game, we were going to have to get our best defensive lineup on the floor, our most athletic lineup. And it was really fun to watch that group that’s never played together close a game against one of the best teams in the in the league. In 8 minutes, that lineup had a plus 47 net rating. Replace Horford with Pods, and that net rating drops to 21, although with three times the amount of minutes played. Early in the year, it’s all about experimenting, trying to figure out what we’re doing and what uh what what lineups work. So, if we can win in the process of experimenting, that’s always good for us. With Moody back in the fold and Horford on low usage, it makes sense to have Moody in the small ball five lineup with doable. Although the starting two guard and center position might go through a few cycles throughout the season. Yes, this means until further notice that permanent starting lineup includes Curry, Butler, Green, and Kaminga. I do suspect Crow wants to take a long and hard look at post in the lineup before going back to Moody. However, the reason for that is, as I’ve mentioned before, keeping Draymond at the four instead of the five were possible. This led to one of the issues the Warriors ran into in Portland. Some of these size deficiencies were exposed as Blazers players took advantage on a number of possessions. Buddy Heield especially struggled against these players with length and oftent times didn’t really look like he belonged on the floor. But this isn’t new or surprising as it’s something we’ve discussed as a problem for the Warriors facing the Blazers. When you look at it under a microscope, the Warriors having played against them earlier in the preseason likely drove Kerr’s decision at least in part to have Quinton Post as the starting center instead of Draymond. It was a genuine counter for Donovan Klingan who at 7’2 has enough size and skill to dominate Draymond in the paint. Not only that, but he also stretches the floor at times. With post, the Warriors can at least drag him out to the perimeter in order to create space for JK and Jimmy. Although with JK’s athleticism, it didn’t matter where on the floor Klingan was. JK snake dribble. Oh. Oh man. While I’m not too concerned about the nuanced lineups, I expected Kurt to try a few different things against Portland. The vets were tired and obviously started fading by the midway mark of the game with slow closeouts when they lost their legs while the Blazers clearly still had it going. How do you feel right now? I’m ready to go to sleep. I’m a little tired right now. It’s definitely a curious case why the Warriors so early in the season are the only team scheduled with two sets of backto backs within the first eight games. Players are obviously not in peak condition just yet. Either Adam Silver is clearly trying to make life difficult for NBA creators like myself, or maybe these little things were meant to keep Steph Curry and an older squad in check. The Warriors will likely revert to Draymond to start at center against the Grizzlies while putting Moses Moody at shooting guard. Draymond’s history with Jiren Jackson Jr. gives him an edge, while Jackson’s ability to space the floor and provide top tier defense will have him destroy Quinton Post if he starts. The only alternative would be to start Hford, which I’d be shocked if Steve Kerr did. This would complete the lineup is Curry, Moody, Jimmy, Kaminga, and Draymond. That unit should be the second best defensive lineup next to the one with Al Horford, which will likely be closing the game. With Moody’s second game back, I don’t expect him to close, but it’ll be interesting to see which five Kerr closes with once he’s had three or so games under his belt. That’s actually a very good problem to have, and I expect things will rotate as we get closer to mid-season. The West is stacked, so no wins in this conference will come easy. Any team can win on any night, so the Warriors need to take every opponent seriously. Let me hear your thoughts on the Portland game. What would you change about this team to combat size and length? Do you still have faith in pods or do you think he already got enough grace from Steve Kerr? Post your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for watching. Till next time. [Music]

Warriors are on track

Credits:
Music: Hide and Shoot by Soundridemusic
Link to Video: https://youtu.be/iCI-yY8QZIs

Credits:
Music: Equalizer by Soundridemusic
Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-NoU5Sedyw

40 comments

  3. Anyone other than Podz would be fine. Give some of his minutes to others, that time should be spent on developing the others who actually can do something for the team and can improve.

    Give it to Will, to Post, to Pat, to Moody. Seriously, give it to everybody else.

  4. I think if Herford can't start at the 5 somedays or play back to backs, They should utilize Trayce more at the 5. Keep Steph, jimmy, kuminga and green at the 1234.

  6. Steve Kerr..is Charlatan..at this point Multiple years specifically last 4 The small roster build is disgusting disrespectful and delusional..Pretending to be some Guru or Basketball genius. Just making difficult year after year for Steph Curry this Goofy just confess he never thought of playing..obviously best lineup..Curry Bulter JK Draymond Hartford…7 guard roster with the best guard ever on his team absolutely sabotage..Kerr is a plant for NIKE ..DISNEY..disingenuous fruad .package 4 Buddy Podz GP2 and Pat Spence for a big and long wing..Damm..

  8. Brah plz stop propin up Pods. Heโ€™s a defensive liability and aside for a 4 or 5 game a year that jumper is garbage. And the dribble into the lane and throw it out for a 3 is played. Thatโ€™s even getting picked off at times he cannot stay in front of quicker guards so the string inevitably breaks he is not that guy.

  9. Podz's stretch of good games was when Jimmy got to the team and opponents had to adjust. Also, the teams were kinda weak during that stretch. As soon as the playoffs started Podz got worse again. He is not an NBA starting guard. Kerr puts too much value in "connectors." Warriors need more young, long athletes who can switch.

  12. podz been ass for 3 years idkwhy we still got this bum. sorry ass pg. matter of facts trade podz and post for a decent vet center whos 7 feet fuking tall

  13. GSW๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ†๐ŸŒƒ๐ŸŒ‡โ™ฅ๏ธ๐ŸŒž๐ŸŒป๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿ’๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿณ๏ธโ™ป๏ธโ˜ฎ๏ธ๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ ๐Ÿ™๐ŸŒน๐Ÿ’œ๐ŸŒž๐ŸŒ ๐Ÿ’ซโœจ๐ŸŒŸLET'S GOOO WARRIORS!! !! ! ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ†๐ŸŒƒ๐ŸŒ‡โ™ฅ๏ธ๐ŸŒž๐ŸŒป๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿ’๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿณ๏ธโ™ป๏ธโ˜ฎ๏ธ๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ ๐Ÿ™๐ŸŒน๐Ÿ’œ๐ŸŒž๐ŸŒ ๐Ÿ’ซโœจ๐ŸŒŸGSW

  15. Itโ€™s Kerr fault he keep on playing his son Podz.. he did something right by not starting Podz but Man U canโ€™t give this man 25+ minutes Podz canโ€™t create his own shot or Defend

  16. I'd like to see Kerr play TJD some more, he's a solid big who can cut. Podz I like the energy but it's time to get some training back in and give the mins to Will or Pat, or Seth once he's back. TJD to start while Al is out. Post can help space the floor with the 2nd unit especially when Seth comes back.

  17. Kerr ainโ€™t a good coach like why bring horford if he not going start he got to stop letting green play the 5 stop playing Podz.Kerr need to b investigated asap

  20. How the coach of a professional NBA team can say "we havent ever really consider that lineup"?? isnt this your job, like to figure out all possibility and eventualities and the worst of all is that any person with a brain would actually suggest that lineup. I just don't get Steve Kerr.

  21. The Warriors look prime for a championship run. But Iโ€™m looking for Seth Curry to take Podz minutes completely. Better defender, better 3 point shooter and better all around player. Everything that Podz isnโ€™t right now.

  23. The minutes restriction on Al Horford makes things difficult for Draymond, especially without Melton or Curry in the lineup. In order to preserve Draymond, you need to start Melton and TJD next to the big 3 because they have synergy together and TJD thrives next to a guard who can properly run the pick and roll and throw lobs. Which is what Buddy Hield and Podz have been unable to do.

    Butler can now lead a bench unit consisting of JK and Al Horford in the frontcourt who are all 2-way players. You got Seth Curry in the backcourt who is more efficient than Steph and the secret ingredient has always been pairing those elite shooters with a 3&D POA defender in that SG spot. Moody can play that role but his one glaring weakness on defense is not being able to defend quicker guards on the perimeter. You cover up for the lack of size from Seth or Steph by surrounding them with size and defense.

    A lineup of:

    PG: Seth Curry
    SG: Moses Moddy
    SF: Jonathon Kuminga
    PF: Jimmy Butler
    C: Al Horford

    has size, defense, shooting coming off the bench. The 10th man could be Will OR GP2 for more defense. You can also play Santos who can allow Jimmy Butler to play his natural position at the 3.

    In the playoffs, if a trade for Andrew Wiggins isnโ€™t made, you start JK to play that role along with Al Horford who shouldnโ€™t be on a minutes restriction. Melton would be the 6th man.

    Sidenote: TJD playing alongside Melton again will bring his confidence back and actually start dunking basketballs again.

  25. Mannn Kerr needs to stop that small lineup crap especially if he's allowing Horford to not play back to back. When you playing back to back you want to make it easier on your team. I feel that TJD should get them minutes that Horford sitting out on & allow him to mess up same as you allowing BP & Will Richard you know TJD did a urow step but messed the layup and immediately Kerr pulled him out instead of encouraging him Kerr not being a true coach and I'm gone get MJ to hit him in his eye again because of that ๐Ÿ˜‚ you don't go small on a team that's big you have to make it make sense. Small ball is good if your team hitting but Podz and Hield are streaky shooters so small ball isn't good. But those back to backs isn't good for warriors not at all. But go Dubs ๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿ’›

  26. It's really stupid to think about that this team lost to a team with a rookie coach๐Ÿคฆ Why the f is Steve Kerr putting Jimmy at the center??? dude is old and tired from back to back games and he's making it harder for them๐Ÿคฆ There's a lot of chance that they could've won if they gave up that game and Put Trayce and Post with Santos, Richards and Spencer

  28. Jaren Jackson….is injured. Memphis should be a clear win for the Warriors, but with so much uncertainty in their lineup its hard to predict their offense outside of Ja Morant. No Bane, No Jackson……they are scoring with their young players and have a rooking playing very well..averaging 18pts on 80% true shooting so far this young season.

  30. This ish isnโ€™t cute anymore, Kerr not even considering a lineup literally everyone else said was the obvious strongest one is more evidence of his lack of discernment and self awareness.

    Just because heโ€™s โ€œhumblyโ€ admitting his coaches made the suggestion doesnโ€™t mean Kerrโ€™s still a competitive championship level coach. These are all just confessions at this point and Iโ€™m tired of Kerr getting a pass because heโ€™s got nine rings.

  31. Wouldnt mind seeing TJD at the 4 with Post at C.

    PG Seth/Podz
    SG Buddy
    SF Moody
    PF TJD
    C Post

    Pretty fun. Russ couldve been fun in a line up like this.

  32. ๅบซๆ˜ŽๅŠ ไธ้ฉๅˆ้ฆ–็™ผ๏ผŒๅๆ‡‰ไธๅค ๅฟซๅชๆœƒๅƒ้ค…ๅ‚ณ็ƒไธ่กŒ๏ผŒ้˜ฒๅฎˆๆผๅ‹•๐Ÿ˜‚

  37. Lakers played on opening night v. Warriors, and 4 days later v. Wolves.Meanwhile, Warriors played 3 games, and got a super fast, super young, rest advantaged team at the end of their back-to-back.๐Ÿ˜ ๐Ÿ˜’

  38. Warriors somehow are THE ONLY TEAM that got 3 games in FOUR nights to start the season?

    And an AWAY game versus a REST ADVANTAGED super fast, super young team at the end of that back-to-back??

    Wtf NBA. ๐Ÿ˜ ๐Ÿ˜’

  39. Podz is eating a lot of minutes with no production…. Podz saying he want to be better than Steph etc being this bad is mind boggling….. Moody should get more minutes he is bigger way better defender and 3pt shooter…. Once seth and Melton is back …. Podz should see 0 minutes … But seeing what kerr is doing …. Everyone will be benched minus Podz

  40. Been saying for like almost a year now maybe longer warriors gotta stop with Podz he so bad I canโ€™t do it and last playoffs really showed it they should trade him now maybe they can get somebody ok that fits better for him still seem he still kinda got solid trade value

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