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OAKLAND – They are the designated defenders, on the ground, to provide the basis and the tools necessary for the Warriors to be faithful to this end. It is a work that they recognize and from which they take immense pride.
Why, then, are we watching Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala, who are playing two semifinals of the Western Conference, breaking the Houston Rockets defense?
Green is averaging 14.5 points – almost double his 7.4 points per game in the regular season. It draws 68.4%.
After averaging 5.7 points in the regular season, Iguodala is tied for 15 against Houston with 75% shooting (12 of 16).
The simple answer, which includes a lot of truth, is that the Rockets pay so much attention to the usual markers – Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson – that they create openings that Green and Iguodala could exploit.
But there is more than that. Both players possess the intelligence of basketball, perceiving the game before it unfolds and feeling it in real time. And both have been preparing to be at their best in the playoffs.
The result is that Green has launched lobs on Iguodala, a combo rarely seen in the regular season.
Iguodala, however, was the biggest surprise because he fought hard injuries in the regular season and was 35 in January. He is, however, in the initial formation, firing in the air and posing a threat to the lobe. His 19 dunks are leading players in the playoffs – including Giannis Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee.
"He's better now, in the playoffs, than it's been in years – regular season or playoffs," Green said about Iguodala on Thursday. "It's a special thing. As dynamic as his defense and the confidence he gives off the offensive, he is simply an excellent player for us. "
The advantage for the Warriors is that the Iguodala offensive did not take place at the expense of his main job, which prevents James Harden from taking control of the game. Harden is on average 32 points, but he gets 38.2%, mainly because of Iguodala.
"It's easy to see that we certainly missed it last year," said Klay Thompson of Iguodala, knee injury in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals and all four. last matches. "We are very happy to have him in good health. He is an extraordinary player who does everything well. "
Green made no difference. The bonus, however, is that he's done a lot more than taking rebounds (10.5, the top of the team) and refusing lobs to Houston's center, Clint Capela.
"He is in better shape than he has been all year," coach Steve Kerr said.
This resulted in Green pushing the offensive at a pace fast enough to challenge Houston's transitional defense. When the Houston Rockets go back, they must make a decision that presents a dilemma.
Give Draymond the drape from one ocean to the other, or do you stretch out so that Curry, Durant and Thompson drop 3 point grenades?
Nobody recognizes him better than Green, who has 16 assists in both games.
[[[[RELATED: Klay's Defense Denies Rockets' Assumptions]
The Rockets will look for adjustments before Game 3 on Saturday. It will not be easy. They must appreciate the fact that they were not blown by longtime artists Curry and Thompson.
However, they are still 0-2 in the series in part because they are upset that Green and Iguodala are generating enough offense to win games.
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