“It was just fun,” said head coach Steve Kerr following his team’s 114-95 dismantling of the Atlanta Hawks. “It’s a great win against a great team. We’ve had a lot of those this year. This doesn’t mean any more than some of the other big wins.”
Kerr might need to be more specific about those “big” wins. His team leads the NBA in point differential (+10.7), which almost doubles the second place team, the aforementioned Atlanta Hawks (+5.7).
In their last meeting, the Hawks picked apart the Warriors with timely shooting, ball movement and 33 made free throws. Two major contributes from that 124-116 Hawks victory in early February didn’t play on Wednesday night. Kyle Korver and Mike Scott, who combined for 34 points on 11-for-17 shooting, were out due to injury.
Klay Thompson has been a model of consistency for his team, missing only one game due to injury before an ankle injury against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday will force him to miss the next 7-10 days. With Korver, Scott and Thompson out, this game wasn’t quite the matchup it was back in February, but still an intriguing look – and possible NBA Finals preview – between the two best teams in the league.
Kerr and his players downplayed the game, instead focusing on the more important challenges ahead as the playoffs near. “We left a good impression,” said Stephen Curry. “Every game for the rest of the season will be like this.” Now at 54-13, the Warriors have all but secured the #1 seed in the Western Conference.
It’s unknown whether these teams will meet again this season. Kerr laughed at the prospect of such forward thinking before the game. “If you can tell me right now that we wouldn’t have homecourt in Atlanta in the Finals I’d take it,” the first year coach said smiling. Both teams downplayed the significance of the game, but the way the Warriors grounded the Hawks in all facets laid a beautiful groundwork to what may happen come the playoffs.
Even without Thompson, the Warriors offense shined. Andre Iguodala had his best game in a Warriors uniform – 21 points in 27 minutes on 9-for-12 shooting, six assists and three steals – and showed every sign of being the dual-threat force the team signed him to be two seasons ago. Clogging passing lanes with his absurd length, leading the offense with his gazelle-like flow and showing the physical attributes he’s been gifted, Iguodala, once a diffident member of the second-unit, is reminding everyone how important he is to everything the team has become.
Not to be outdone, the oft-discussed Harrison Barnes had one of his best games as a professional. Only missing two of his 13 shots as the former Tar Heel finished with 25 points in the absence of Thompson. “I couldn’t be hesitant,” said Barnes, who later said he’s the most comfortable he’s been since joining the team. Like Iguodala, it’s not a matter of physical skills as it is finding the role that best fits his given skillset. If Kerr can get a comfortable Barnes and aggressive Iguodala in the playoffs, it’s hard to imagine any team beating the Warriors four times in a series.
The Warriors aren’t invincible, but they’re complete. They’ve accepted every challenge a team can present and exploited its weakness. You want to trap Curry above the three-point line, you’re leaving Draymond Green – who hit five threes on Wednesday – open to take his shot or initiate the offense himself. You want to leave Curry in single coverage to wreak havoc, be their guest.
If they’re not hitting shots, no worries. The Warriors will suffocate any offense and push the pace off turnovers. If going big is the strategy, have fun against Green and Andrew Bogut inside. Outpacing the Warriors with a smaller lineup, good luck with the length of Livingston and the versatility of Iguodala and Green manning the frontcourt.
There are multiples ways the Warriors can beat any team and few ways a team can beat them. With their win against the Hawks, the Warriors laid the groundwork for how they’ll beat teams when games matter most, and with Thompson returning their chances return to full form. Ball movement, execution and defense are more than just catchphrases in what Kerr hopes to install in his system. The system is now clear, and with team efforts like the one shown against the Hawks on Wednesday, this team is equipped for whatever challenges lie ahead come the postseason.