SACRAMENTO – In the wake of their Game 1 loss to the Kings on Saturday, faith remains strong among the Warriors, and likely their fans. They believe, and history suggests they should.
But analysis among the Warriors 17 hours later was unsettling, perhaps even ominous.
The defending champions, in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference series against Sacramento, were lamenting their poor fundamentals and vowing to be better in Game 2.
“Rebound and limit our fouling,” Klay Thompson said Sunday afternoon.
“Just came back, watched the tape and we saw that we’ve got to be better at rebounding,” Gary Payton II said.
Asked what he believed was Golden State’s priority adjustment, coach Steve Kerr was quick to answer.
“Boxing out and making sure we’re physical enough on the glass,” he said.
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These elements were discussed ad nauseam during the 82-game regular season. They were said to be addressed and emphasized over six days of intense preparation between the end of the regular season and Game 1 of the postseason.
And, still, the issues were stubborn enough to resurface in Game 83.
“It started with transition (defense),” Kerr said. “We made a lot of mistakes there. That led to some early buckets. We did some great things defensively – guys played their butts off – but we let our guard down when the shot went up.”
Apart from 10 turnovers, including Stephen Curry’s four, two of which came on dubious cross-court passes, the Warriors played solid basketball in the first half. They shot better, had a slight edge in rebounding and took a 61-55 lead into the locker room.
The second half was uneven, with Golden State limiting its turnovers (five) but giving up 20 free throws and getting thrashed on the glass, 27-16. The Kings snagged 10 offensive rebounds, turning 11 second-chance shots into 14 points.
“We played hard in a lot of areas,” Kerr said. “But when the shot went up, we let our guard down. As a result, they got 17 offensive boards, nine or 10 additional field-goal attempts.”
The second half was a feast for three Kings: De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk and Trey Lyles. They combined for 56 points on 17-of-29 shooting, including 7 of 10 from deep. The trio scored only six fewer points after halftime than the entire Golden State team.
“When you give that team, which is a very talented offensive team, many second-chance opportunities, they’re going to convert,” Thompson said. “That will be an emphasis for us tomorrow, not getting ‘punked’ on the glass.”
Those are the right words. But how, coming after so many similar games in the regular season, can they inspire confidence they will be implemented in the postseason when they weren’t in the second half of Game 1?
How can it not be disconcerting that a veteran team with a championship core and supreme confidence comes away from the first game of the playoffs hoping to improve in the basics of the game?
Even the shot selection came into question.
“Our team always walks a fine line,” Kerr conceded. “We want our guys aggressive and loose and free. We want them to be uninhibited out there.
“But at the same time, we want them to recognize that we can go from good to great. We had a lot of good shots. We can get great shots. And we know that. We have to make them guard for longer stretches.”
Heard this before, eh?
And, please, said Kerr, do not blame the Warriors’ oft-referenced lack of size. Kevon Looney played 32 minutes, Draymond Green 33. That duo one year ago held down the paint through four series, culminating in an NBA Finals victory.
“It didn’t feel like it was a size issue,” Kerr said. “When you watch the tape, it’s just the shot goes up and we’re looking at the ball. Can’t do that. When the shot goes up, you have to find the free man and go hit him. Go box him out.
“We didn’t do that. That has nothing to do with size.”
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The Warriors will get no bigger between Games 1 and 2. They can get more consistently aggressive. They can box out, reduce turnovers, chase loose balls, improve shot selection and sprint back in transition defense. All elemental stuff well within the grasp of a group rich in wisdom.
But they can’t be completely devoid of anxiety when, knowing the stakes, they were unable to consistently manage the basics in Game 1.