4 adjustments for Warriors Game 2 after nit-picking everything they did wrong in G1

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Here are my notes for the above clickable video. At the bottom are the four adjustments I have suggested for Game 2…

GSW 75-64, strip by Wiggs on Grant inside but he shouldn’t have gotten that deep. Later White direct line to basket as too much attention by JP on JT. Looney swats it though at 4:28. JT to Smart inside swatted but Smart back out to JT for superstar Euro.

77-66 3:57: 3-2 zone sucked, JT drag, Al misses maybe why Dray didn’t contest next time.

White 3 on swing swing, JP doesn’t close because last time White busted past. Up til then good rotation. 80-69 3:20. Otto answers but then Dray lets AH shoot an open left corner 3 in transition. 83-69 2:59 becomes 83-72.

1:45 Steph haymaker attempt early would put GSW up 18. Maybe try to keep hitting singles now that you know what Celtics are capable of. JB unimpeded after miss. Wiggs should’ve picked him up. JP little resistance. JT wide open 3 up top via JB no good. Bad habits. JP gets duped by JT for a steal, JB athletic bucket over Dray. 87-74 1:31.

White easy up-fake from 3 on JP, waltzes in for free throws. Later JP lets JB turn the corner forcing Dray to help which enables Rob a putback dunk. You can hear Dray say, “I can’t help you.” After a 3 by Andre, he reaches in on White and it’s a 50/50 call.

103-100 5:56 Looney solid.

103-100 5:45 So much doubling attention on JT/JB, Steph a tad late to White. Excellent close out on White by Steph. JP should learn from that. But White hits the 3 in Steph’s face. 5:40 103-103.

103-103 5:20 White initiates downhill, probably Steph’s fault for leaving slower Looney to catch up. Swing swing Pritchard to Horford, Klay can’t contest because he would’ve left JB wide open up top. BOS 106-103 Q4 5:08. Tweet saying all Horford shots were open is false.

ATO: Draymond careless, underestimated Horford length, Horford walks into a 3 in transition.

103-109 4:37 Steph can’t get past Pritchard despite the switch from Wiggs/White, Klay doesn’t cut hard, seconds burn, Dray top 3 brick. 4:22 103-109.

4:14 Celtics turn D to O, Pritchard wide open up top, misses.

3:58 Steph had the step on Horford but chose the home run step back. Missed.

3:42 ATO for Celtics: Dray too low on the show vs JT (right-handed) step by Wiggs, Horford baseline 2 too easy.

103-111 3:03 JB too easy breaking the 3-2 zone past Steph who funnels to Dray instead of staying in front. Horford oreb out to Smart for open 3 right corner. 114-103 2:49.

103-114 2:10 Why does JP double Smart? But White misses 3.

103-114 2:01 Dray offensive grab vs JT to clear the lane.

103-114 1:54 Good to see Wiggs make JT work

Steph too much attention on JT, Smart 3 on the catch. Game, set, match: 117-103 1:43.

THE 4 ADJUSTMENTS

1) Turn Jokic Rules into JT/JB rules or some hybrid? Kerr using words like “avalanche/anomaly” hints at sticking with game plan of shading towards JT/JB, but then again 3 points are worse than 2. Are we better off with JT/JB as a playmaker to (hopefully) missed 3s or let them score 35 each? Btw this is good training for another West team that should return to the top: LAC (PG/Kawhi).

2) Risk of using JP and 3-2 zone? Deploy GP? Might result in hitting more singles on O. Otto wasn’t that great on defense, either, further justifying GP2. Stop doubling in the paint, they don’t seem to be attacking the rim with abandon. If you’re going to go 3-2 then you must treat JT like Luka and early hedge to avoid the switch.

3) Stay forceful. Klay was already becoming that. Can JP do it? Can Otto do it? Can’t let JT/JB turn the corner, gotta turn them left.

4) Draymond must play better on both ends. Like Rocky Balboa, a punch in the face makes Dray better. But that’s kinda what the Warriors do. Loose with the ball, see what they can get away with. Steph might try for more singles late. Any made basket slows them down a little, but don’t let JT waltz into the front court which brings us back to GP2.

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