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Editor's note: Grant Liffmann is co-host of Warriors Outsiders, broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area 90 minutes before each home game and 60 minutes after each game. Every week, Grant will drop his outside observation on the condition of the Dubs.
The 25-game finish line starts tonight, as the Warriors emerge from the All-Star game against the Sacramento Kings at Oracle Arena. A Warriors-Kings match between player 1 to 8 to 8 to start the playoffs would be a lot of fun, as both teams play at a fast pace, evolve in transition and shoot deep.
But before starting to predict possible 8-head confrontations, the Warriors must finish the rest of the season in strength to ensure first place in the West.
Since Steve Kerr took over the Warriors, here's how the team finished the season after the break from the All-Star game:
2017-18: 14-10
2016-17: 20-6
2015-16: 25-5
2014-15: 25-6
Last season, the Warriors struggled, many of their key players were injured and the depth of the team was put to the test. In order to avoid any possibility of mass casualties this season, you can expect the Warriors to rest their stars during and after the last 25 games.
However, depending on the number of careers following the star break, you can bet that some players would like to play every game. Since the numbers do not tell the whole story, let's take a look at players whose performances are better or worse during their career after the break, and determine what to expect this season. .
Steph Curry
Pre: 47.6% FG … 42.7% 3-Pt … 23.2 Pts … 4.4 Reb … 6.6 Asts
Post: 48.4% FG … 45.9% 3-Pt … 24.1 Pts … 4.6 Reb … 6.9 Asts
Steph is the only Warrior player whose number improves after the break of the stars. He has always been close to the end of the season, finding his deepest pace of the year. I'm expecting this season to be no different.
For his high standards, Curry has struggled with his three-point shot in recent weeks, so the break came at the right time. Yes, he had a quite busy and probably tiring "break" playing on the weekend of the All-Star weekend in his hometown of Charlotte, but being busy is not new to Curry.
This season, he gets 44% of the average and nearly 49% of the field. I would not be surprised if it illuminates the box scores over the next two months to approach a 50-45-90 final line.
Draymond Green
Pre: 43.4% FG … 31.9% 3-Pt
Position: 44.5% of FG … 32.5% of 3 pts
I was surprised to find that Draymond's career shooting total improved over the course of the season. I have supposed that he would have spent so much energy in defense that his legs might be a bit heavy in stretching. But if you look in particular at the last two seasons, it seems that Draymond is getting in shape as the seasons go by, improving his conditioning and raising his game.
His three-point percentage is the attention of most opposing teams, as they are likely to develop a defensive strategy in which they collapse with Green and force him to shoot. But for the Warriors' staff, increasing their shooting percentages after the break is just a luxury.
Instead, they focus on his elite defense, and I expect him to make a very concerted effort to try to open his eyes enough to be able to attempt the Defensive Player title. of the year.
Andre Iguodala
Pre: 45.9% FG … 32.8% 3-Pt
Position: 47.7% FG … 34.8% 3-Pt
These numbers were certainly not a surprise. Iguodala has shown throughout his warrior career that he kept the best for last. For example, last season after the all-star break, Iguodala shot more than 41% of the goals.
And yet, despite the career figures, I would not be surprised if Iguodala reigned in his game a little over the last 25 games to rest his legs for the playoffs. He has played outstanding basketball on the bench so far this regular season, deploying maximum effort and resting less than what many would expect from the 35-year-old wing. .
The big question is whether his hard game in the first period will catch up later in the season. The Warriors will not want to know it, so I expect them to give it at least a handful of games to rest their legs in order to regain its annual form of "Iguodala Playoff".
Kevin Durant
Pre: 49.8% FG … 38.4% 3-Pt
Position: 47.8% of FG … 37.8% of 3 pts
Kevin Durant is an incredibly consistent basketball player, I did not necessarily expect to see many changes in his career percentages before and after the break. But again, Durant plays so hard and so long during the season, it makes sense that his numbers go down a bit.
Durant's three-point shot was inconsistent throughout the season. It is therefore difficult to predict how he will behave after the break. But one thing is certain: the Warriors will not prolong it during the last two months of the regular season.
Durant played in all team games, taking charge early when Curry and Green were out, and carrying the team as best as he could. The Warriors recognize the need to give Durant some time to rest his legs, as he prepares to give the best of himself once the playoffs are over.
In the last two playoffs with the Warriors, Durant shot more than 51% of the field and nearly 38% against three. They will need this same Durant if they plan to run in another capacity.
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Klay Thompson
Pre: 46.2% FG
Position: 45.4% FG
The number of Klay Thompson's careers before and after the All-Star game is largely consistent with a slight decrease in overall shooting percentage. But I will not even pretend to know what Klay will do the rest of the season. It had the richest roller coaster year, going through unusually long periods of recession, followed by impressive streaks of filming.
In the last 20 games before the break, Klay shot more than 53% of the field and nearly 51% of the deepest. Can he keep those screaming numbers for the rest of the season?
Very dubious given the fact that he played in all games except one and that he is certain that he will experience some fatigue. Or maybe not.
After all, it's Klay Thompson and maybe he'll put his career on the back burner "in the past like a ponytail."
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DeMarcus Cousins
Pre: 34.4% 3-pt
Position: 30.4% 3 pts
In his career, it is clear that Cousins loses a bit of his legs because his three-point shot has decreased considerably over the season. The good news for the Warriors, however, is that Boogie will play virtually what is essentially the first half of the season until the end.
Expect the team to increase their minutes over the next two months, pushing their conditioning to a playoff level. The cousins may be one of the team members who do not get a lot of rest and get the green light to get stronger.
Her shot was inconsistent until her return, so the team will focus on her pace, timing and legs, just in time for a run for a third straight title.
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