May 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) fight for a rebound during the third quarter in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Grizzlies defeated the Warriors 97-90. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
By: Yama Hazheer
Tides turn quickly in sports; it’s all a part of the game. Sometimes even the best of teams need reminders of how to get their work done the fundamentally correct way, the way that took them to the top of their respective sport, league, or division. In the Warriors’ case, they have been all three for the past hundreds of days.
-== 5 Reasons Why the Warriors Will Beat the Grizzlies ==-
They needed a wake-up call. The Grizzlies gave them one.
Game 1 was spectacular. The Warriors fed off the atmosphere that’s gained national attention, deeming their home court “Roaracle Arena” on several occasions. Golden State dictated the tempo for almost the entire 48-minute game.
Mike Conley was watching from one eye on the sideline and perhaps felt more mental than physical pain while his squad was demolished.
May 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Game 2 was clearly different. The Grizzlies controlled the pace of the game and forced Golden State into a half court struggle. Conley, also known as One-Eyed Charlie now, demonstrated why he is the most valuable player on his team. With all due respect to Beno Udrih and Nick Calathes, they are not scaring anybody.
Conely connected on his first four shots and made timely baskets whenever the Warriors tried to go on a run. Conley and Tony Allen both did commendable jobs defending Klay Thompson and newly crowned MVP, Stephen Curry.
The Warriors lost at home for the first time since January. They only had two losses at home this year. One against the defending champion Spurs early in the year and against the Bulls in overtime.
Golden State also lost their first game where they held the opposing team to under 100 points. They were 43-0 in the regular season and undefeated in the playoffs until Memphis broke that streak Tuesday night.
There are some minor causes for concern.
Conley looks healthy and he gave the Grizzlies an emotional burst. Memphis also stole home court advantage from the Warriors.
Regardless, this series belongs to Golden State and they will come out victorious despite the glimpse of obstacles they face.
Great players almost never have back-to-back bad games. Curry had a forgettable one in Game 2. You have to be certain that he’s able to use the few days of rest to his advantage by putting away every off-court distraction and focusing on the task at hand.
Curry dropped 38 points on a healthy Conley in Memphis in the regular season. He can take over a game anytime that he wants to, but he needs his supporting cast to play their roles.
May 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Draymond Green has gotten into foul trouble in each of the first two games, resulting in a quick leash and early minutes for David Lee and Mo Speights. There is a drastic difference in the game when Green is out and either one of the bench players come in. Neither Lee nor Speights can defend Zach Randolph or take him out beyond the arc the way that Green can. Green has to be more alert on the defensive end so he can stay on the floor.
Klay Thompson might have had the worst game of his career up until the fourth quarter in Game 2. Tony Allen showcased why he should be named “First-Team all Defense”, but that was the first time he really had Thompson’s number this season.
Thompson averaged 30.7 points per game on 62.3 percent shooting against the Grizzlies this season. He took 24 threes in the three games, he made 18 of them. Allen did not play in the final game, resulting in 42 points for Thompson on 20 shots.
Obviously, Thompson does better without the elite perimeter defender in Allen on the floor. However, the All-Star has seen succession against Allen during the regular season. In Game 1, Thompson had 18 points on 8-16 shooting from the field and his best passing display of the postseason thus far with 6 assists.
He’ll be ready to go Saturday. The Warriors should not be concerned. Thompson didn’t do well in his first game against the Pelicans, but came back in Game 2 and delivered. This has been his best postseason yet, outside of the second game against the Grizzlies.
Golden State lost back-to-back games only four times in the regular season. It’s still hard to believe a team that does not have LeBron James could beat the Warriors four times during a seven game span. Memphis only needs three more, but you cannot be confident in their chances of holding the Warriors to under 100 points or even outscoring them.
May 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
As much as Charles Barkley or any NBA fan wants to say that you need low-post scoring and can’t be a jump-shooting team to win it all, they are wrong. With the new age of the league, the three-point line is crucial to success.
The Miami Heat were perimeter based with no real threat in the low post outside of Chris Bosh. Even he became more of a jump shooter as his career in Miami progressed. Kawhi Leonard was the Spurs best player last postseason and he is perimeter based with no post scoring in San Antonio outside of an old Tim Duncan.
Memphis simply cannot make enough three-pointers to beat the Warriors in a seven game series. But the adversity was needed. The Warriors needed a wake-up call. There was no better time than early in the second round.
Golden State did not want to see their worst play in the Western Conference Finals or the Finals. It’s good to get it out of their system now. Careless passes will be minimal; more focus will be on ball-movement and potentially greater use of small-ball against the big Grizzlies team.
Draymond Green said it best after the loss.
“It’s not the end of the world.”
The wake-up call was delivered. Now it’s time for the Warriors to get up and seize the moment.