“I always believe we’re gonna win every series”
[+notes/quotes/video from G4 Warriors/Lakers + off day]
Per my last post, maybe now their backs are against the wall? Kidding aside, Steve Kerr took the podium yesterday on the day off and just stated matter-of-factly that you just turn the page, appreciate how lucky you are to be in the situation in the first place, and topped it off by saying, “I always believe we’re gonna win every series.”
Back in the day as a young basketball player in the Japanese League circuit, I remember after a loss my teammate, the legendary Ti Wu from Chinatown, telling my girlfriend at the time that it would take at least two hours for me (it was probably more like four) to simmer down from the loss. And Kerr yesterday said they give it 24 hours as they turn that page. So trust me, the Golden State Warriors are pissed and they will respond tonight even though some of the plays in Game 4 were, as we said it real-time in the live chat, “weird” or uncharacteristic — that is to say, yes, they should have already had their backs against the wall for Game 4.
Now, I’d love to also comment on all the online bullying of Jordan Poole, but I’ll save that for another day and we have to focus on the squad as a whole, anyways. You just can’t give any attention to negativity.
And finally Warriors super-fan Ruben Carter, who resides in OKC and regularly attends Thunder games courtside, sprinkling in some trips to GSW games at Chase and in other cities, hit me up just now ask, “How are you feeling?”
My response: “Mostly over the past year I’ve become really ‘Zen’ about things so I’m always good. This game has brought me so much in life, I just have gratitude for everything. We could be down 3-0 with every starter injured (knock on wood) and I’d be good!”
So let’s not forget the opportunity for joy that this franchise gives us. Since September and including some preseason and even G League games, it’s been over 100 times now this season. I’m lucky to be able to join my YouTube Warriors family online so much in so little time.
With that, yesterday I took a detour from by-the-minute coverage and — while Kerr answered questions — saw Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in IMAX 3D last night (Top Ten of my all-time, wow!), then realized when I got home with the recent Warriors losses and some personal issues I’ve had to deal with, that I should probably give myself a mental break from the massive behind-the-scenes video compilations. We normally don’t get a lot of views on the YouTube channel after losses, anyways, so it was strategically a good time to “take an L”.
Therefore, no behind-the-scenes video and the only picture from Game 4 that I posted on our Stories is the one above with Jack Nicholson, who looked pregame as I felt right after the loss — seems I may have forgotten to do the gallery from Game 3 as well 🤷🏻♂️
So everything below is in reverse chronological order starting with Kerr’s media availability yesterday and ending with Game 4 pregame. Now, time to try and take the first step on turning the tables on LeBron James and give new meaning to the saying “blew a 3-1 lead”. The corgi seems to feel that way (search Google or Twitter on “Warriors corgi prediction”).
• Steve Kerr media availability, day before Game 5, on Draymond being named to Second Team All-Defense: “I think he should’ve been First Team… long been one of the premier defenders in the league… 73 games… holding down the fort… missing guys left and right, he really anchored our defense… still got a lot left in the tank.”
• On Gary Payton II: “Gary played great… our whole team really came out and played with a purpose… well enough to win but just didn’t get it done… plays… I’d like to have back… main thing is to focus on the process, just fill up the cup… we’ve been in these series for a long time… decade… swings back and forth… Defense is terrific… range… speed… created a lot of space for us.”
• On adjustments the Lakers made with the pick-and-roll: “They just changed who was guarding whom… who you’re bringing in to pick and roll… fairly common adjustment come playoff time… you can change the tactics… good adjustment from them. We did some things in the third quarter… this is high level stuff… back and forth, we had our chances, just didn’t get it done.”
• On 7 years ago coming back from 3-1 vs OKC: “And I think four years ago in Toronto being down 3-1… would’ve sent it back to Toronto if Klay hadn’t suffered the torn ACL… what they shared with each other, the vets, everything changes game to game… just get the next game and when you do that the momentum shifts… very next game.”
• On not thinking about being down 3-1: “…the process for me… you don’t sleep very well… watch the tape three or four times… lament some of the things you didn’t do… get it out of your system and you turn then page and that’s how the players have to do it… takes 24 hours… that’s what the off-day is for… as you let go of the last one, you get ready for the next one… how lucky you are…”
• On how much having home court advantage still helps: “…we have the next game at home… we don’t really think about that…”
• On if he confirmed there was flopping per what he said postgame and what he saw on tape: “There was definitely some gamesmanship… look, I give them credit… the foul at 3:25, pin down on White was really, really a tough call… blatant flop and the ref bought it… we’re gonna reward that type of play with the game and the series…” [I believe Kerr mistook Lonnie Walker IV for Derrick White because White is a solid backup point guard and both he and Walker used to be backup point guards for his good friend Gregg Popovich’s team, the San Antonio Spurs.]
• On how to learn from that and apply it to the next game: “You don’t. What I learned coaching in FIBA… flop… technical foul… flopping has been eliminated from FIBA… players are so smart… this is how it’s been for awhile. It’s up to us as a league if we want to fix this… Chris Paul swipe through at halfcourt… these are all things that my personal plea to the NBA, I think we can do better… in the meantime I give the Lakers credit the plays they’ve been able to sell.”
• On if he feels the desperation like Game 7 SAC: “Yeah, of course, this is what they do, they’re competitors… all the posters (on the practice facility wall)…”
• On what he can or has said to Poole: “All of that is private, of course. My experience in the playoffs… this is a big part of it. Every series there’s playoffs who go through struggles. I went through it… playing time… shooting slump… you jump right back into and you let her rip. You can’t get tentative… be yourself. Easier said than done… emotional breakthrough. It’s part of the process of becoming an NBA player… I gotta get through this. Lots of players go through this…”
• On Looney and Payton: “Everyone is feeling well.”
• On if there’s any vet that talked with the group: “Yes but I’m not gonna share it.”
• On how much he appreciates the moment and has confidence with Steph, Klay and Draymond together: “This whole thing has been built by those three guys and Andre… always believe we’re gonna win every series, doesn’t matter if it’s 3-1 or whatever. I think we’re gonna win every game.”
• ESPN Sources: Milwaukee was granted permission to interview Golden State associate head coach Kenny Atkinson. Some of other candidates expected to meet with Bucks on coaching job are Milwaukee associate head coach Charles Lee, ex-Charlotte coach James Borrego. There will be additional candidates and interviews. (Adrian Wojnarowski)
• Steph Curry postgame Game 4, on feeling similar to previous 3-1 deficits: “You definitely use it as confidence… win Game 5 and take it from there… take the good things from tonight and protect our home court. Gotta maintain positivity… long way to go.”
• On when the game turned: “Lonnie hit some big shots… fought all the way to the last second… chance to steal a win… 4th quarter we only scored 17 points… gotta look at the film… got a lot of good looks… live with it.”
• On how the shots felt, rhythm: “…got a lot of confidence… knock down shots especially in volume… a lot of them were back rim which means you got good legs… a lot of pick and roll… I’m rocking with them.”
• On the last two threes vs AD: “…first one… second layer of defense… seven-foot, got crazy reach… in-and-out. Second one was a little rush. Obviously I took it because I thought I could make it. I’m living in with those… Game 5 we can control momentum…”
• On the scratches on his face and physicality: “…exactly how playoff basketball is supposed to be… trying to send one body to you… waiting in the paint. It’s playoff basketball… what you live for… embrace it all, even the scratches.”
• On the jump ball and falling on the floor: “Didn’t realize how much time went off… felt like somebody was behind me and kinda just let it go… a little bit more awareness to call timeout… just didn’t go our way.”
• On Poole: “We get questions about him a lot… it’s our whole team… together, trying to win playoff games… we all have to play better… no sense in isolating him… all consistent throughout the season… he’s part of that, we’re all a part of that.”
• On if he allows himself to think about Draymond and Myers extensions: “No.”
• On what GP2 brings: “Smaller, but a lot faster… testament to how roles can change… be ready for your moment… testament for everybody on our team to stay ready. We say it a lot and it continues to prove itself.”
• Gary Payton II postgame on hearing he starts: “…set the ball screen and roll… make a play.”
• On what the game came down to: “Just possessions… capitalize… in transition… back and forth runs… whoever can outlast the runs and get stops.”
• On the locker room: “It’s still positive… make one more run late…”
• On how he’s feeling: “I’m good. I’m good.”
• On having confidence in coming back: “got a lot of heart… back against the wall, gotta come out swinging.”
• On Poole: “shots not falling… see one go through and Jordan will be back.”
• On Steph’s triple-double: “That’s what he does. He’s a floor general. Take one thing away from him, figures out…”
• Steve Kerr postgame Game 4, on the last play with Draymond: “It’s a play we’ve run quite a bit before… multiple options… had time for a quick 2… had another timeout left… just didn’t execute. They played good defense too.”
• On Steph’s turnover: “I was yelling timeout… lost the ball so quickly… didn’t get the call.”
• On Klay rushing shots: “I trust Klay. Think of everything he’s done for this team… that’s part of who we are as a team… we’re gonna fire… both had some looks… give the Lakers credit…”
• On being down 3-1 twice in this run: “It feels like what it is, 3-1, you go home, you take care of business… momentum is back in your favor… that’s why you play it out… Lakers… holding serve…”
[there were more questions not transcribed]
0:00 GP2 starts, insider stuff: Warriors are pissed that GP2 starting go leaked, 2 hours ago Shams Charania did a video (!) of the leak (he knew nobody else had this info)
5:00 Scott Foster reffing tonight, I'm disappointed in credentialed media who call out Kerr for not blaming refs
13:00 Dean on appreciating these games with Steph Klay Dray, plus these are great opponents, this team has heart in spades
16:00 Lakers official account says Jack Nicholson is back in the house
18:30 on Jeff Teague saying he and Bryn Forbes weren't playing on the Bucks and thought KD would smoke them in 2021
19:00 so I'm saying GP2 starting is a celebration of our depth
21:00 Dean: vets haven't played more than 36 mins since Game 1, Steph will make his presence known early
24:45 Wiggs loses tip!
11m20 GP2 got the pass and hesitated (LeBron let him go, shaded over to Wiggs who missed)
11m02 Dray fell down? Wiggs had to cover AD and AD beasted him inside for a foul
10m55 Dray can't get the position, Wiggs entry pass way out, Kerr can't believe it
10m20 Steph haymaker
10m15 GP2 late on the switch with Wiggs (GP is a little off this game so far)
10m00 good reb Wiggs
9m55 Wiggs bad tov after the Euro, Vando draws foul 94 feet later
30:30 we haven't even run our offense one time!
9m40 Wiggs dunk Steph GP tic tac toe (GP more assertive)
8m30 LBJ fouls Wiggs no call
8m15 good D Steph vs DLo
8m05 Klay unselfish to Dray to Wiggs
7m15 Steph fell asleep on the cut by AR broken play
6m40 good D by Steph on Reaves save, Klay knocking down via arm
6m10 Dray throws to nobody, J-Mike subs for GP2 (ran to the locker room)
5m49 Steph out (6m10 sec played), same with Wiggs, despite it all we are up 11-10
5m00 more swipe downs by Klay vs AD who scores
4m22 quick 3 by Donte way off
4m10 Donte passes up a layup
3m55 Rui easily baseline burst past JP
3m51 Dray out, Loon in: JP, Donte, Klay, Moody, Looney -- they must've seen something on the tape? Or lack thereof, or analytics
3m30 Loon there to block Rui, AD is out of the game -- maybe we're anti-matching Loon vs AD
3m15 Klay great touch pass to Loon 3 pump fakes
3m00 good fake by DLo wow he's stepped up
45:30 good news, GP2 back to the bench, gave thumbs up to Kendra Andrews
1m52 Steph back in but LeBron gets loose on base inbound, geat Moody with physicality
1m30 kickball wasn't called, GSW gets fastbreak
0m55 Donte finally does something, corner 3 via Steph
0m40 LBJ tov lob to Donte vs Rui, good physicality by Rui
0m02 Looney late to LeBron 3, dodged a bullet
51:30 Steph got 4 mins of rest, we want him to have 10 or less minutes of rest
52:45 GP2 was the center of the tic tac toe then ran to the locker, Dray and Wiggs were not good (hence the "lethargic", "messy", "scrimmage", "waiting for Curry")
11m40 Q2 horrible looking J by Dray but Steph boarded, putback
10m45 Steph Dray PNR roll bucket
10m25 AD misses barely, Dray to GP2 fastbreak, timeout Ham
56:30 looks like the decision to start GP2 is paying dividends
59:15 Parth Manvar: "Scott Foster knows AD flopping"
9m50 Klay's gravity leaves Dray wide open after Steph GP PNR
9m15 Steph blows a layup after darting past LBJ and AD
8m50 PNR Steph GP2 working like a charm
8m35 Steph grabs AR but it's only the first foul
8m25 Dray touchdown pass goes sailing, he's so off today, threw the ball to Christian Gamboa
7m50 Dray alley-oop lob to GP2 tov, gets away with a reach, he and GP discuss
6m55 Steph gets away with a travel on the board, Dray is hurt on the foul by LBJ, Dray's head snapped back and hit the floor, let's hope it's not a concussion
6m40 GP2 airball
6m22 Steph hero 3 no good
6m15 LBJ 3, no timeout 38-33
5m45 good late clock movement Klay to Dray to Wiggs, line drive 3 good
5m10 Klay hero 3 over DLo no good
4m55 Dray steals AD then a Magic fake handoff behind the back layup with a cracked skull
1:09:15 Percy: "weird" feel to this game -- I'll take weird over turnovers/fouls-prone
1:11:30 Dray listed as zero steals, should probably really have 2.5 of them
3m55 Steph blows another layup, Wiggs can't corral another rebound (2x each)
3m25 JP tov leads to AD and-1 vs Dray, who comes out
3m02 Steph wacky layup makes up missed layups
2m15 LBJ argues a foul but Donte made the corner 3 (after the whistle)
2m00 Donte hang time layup feed via Steph, probably has the best hang time for backup guard
1m40 Steph hero 3 textbook side step
1m20 AD hitting every midrange 19 pts
1m15 Steph and-1 G4 layup, beautiful split of LBJ and AD on the PNR
1m10 Steph good holding of ground vs Rui, draws foul
0m55 Steph somehow finds Loon on the downhill hesi
0m35 Moody fouls DLo, Kerr argues with ref, penalty up 50-47
0m15 Steph passes up a three, possible charge/block vs AR though, if it's overturned to a charge then Steph should've shot that in hindsight
1:24:30 Steph was already in the air, challenge unsuccessful, I actually learned this by watching tape of Michael Jordan back in the day
1:26:00 this "weird" game is good because that's the whole point of making adjustments, is to change the series (the direction of the series)
1:27:15 we still haven't seen the team championship DNA come out, but we did get swipe downs from Dray and Klay, and Steph's usual positional defense
1:29:00 Dice The Plug: "Poole is mentally down" -- I think these words are little non-18th-man-ish, so what would you say if you were Andre Iguodala: "don't worry it'll come", people on social media are so eager to thumb-type JP into oblivion
1:31:00 sermon for the day: you've got to be AWARE that you're thinking negative thoughts
1:35:15 AD is basically keeping the Lakers in the game (midrange fadeaways) -- the key to this one is still turnovers and fouling
11m50 another tic tac toe with GP (Wiggs Dray)
11m30 good low center of gravity with Klay vs LBJ
10m45 Klay early shot good, banged in
10m22 AR PNR J, Klay says my bad
9m40 Wiggs blows the post vs AR, good clear out by Dray
9m10 Klay rushed a shot, AR 3, Klay upset with himself, timeout down 57-59
1:48:00 people saying DLo fouled Wiggs, Klay 3 should've counted -- every time I watch DLo he gets smarter and smarter
1:47:00 hello? championship DNA, are you in there?
8m20 Dray shoulder locked by AD, foul on Dray, then Steph to GP 2x
7m30 GP corner 3 in rhythm
7m20 Steph takes a charge on Vando and shakes his head in celebration of good defensive execution
7m15 Dray threads the needle to a cutting Steph 10-0 run or so -- GP 7/9 fg, Steph 19-9-11
6m30 Wiggs clutch 3 over AD late shot
5m55 Dray tap over AD to Wiggs 94 feet, also tough inside D by Steph vs LBJ
5m30 Steph should've flopped vs AR, might've gotten the call, instead he grabbed the arm, but he's a little tired, Steph subs out with 27 mins played
5m20 Klay quick shot curl no good
4m30 Moody steal!
4m15 Donte JP Moody Warriors bball corner 3
4m07 AR 3, Donte helping too far on DS (doesn't trust JP?)
3m17 Dyan Cannon sitting next to Ice Cube baseline
3m15 Moody moving screen on ATO
2m55 Donte throws inbound to Dennis
2m20 Steph behind the back pass to Donte!!! GOAT move
2m02 Dennis PNR LBJ is killing us (and-1)
1m44 Steph G4 layup GOAT
0m45 Steph deflection of LBJ pass -- he's been our best defender
0m40 Dennis scores again (vs Donte)
0m25 Donte corner 3 (trade 3s for 2s), Klay now guarding Dennis
11m50 Q4 Lonnie 3, let's not have him get hot
10m45 LBJ got 3 switches on PNRs to get the Steph matchup and took advantage, they're mucking it up, do we go to Looney?, could try zone
10m10 Steph shot looked rush with 6 sec on shot
10m00 Moody in for GP, gets a steal
9m35 Dray costly tov in transition, Lonnie 94 feet
9m15 Klay forearm into Dennis, Kerr advocates, but no
8m55 DLo misses dagger, Steph makes dagger
8m37 Klay gets beat by Dennis (3 bad defensive plays lately)
8m20 Steph GOAT 3 and-1 vs Dennis
8m05 Lonnie = DFox (per Dantae Washington)
7m10 Steph assist finds Moody after the Dennis blunder
6m40 Lonnie airball
6m15 Klay deflection steal on the Lonnie inside pass
2:27:45 NOW I'm seeing the urgency, champ DNA coming out
6m00 LBJ needed a rest with 37 mins played, LBJ back in after one deflection
5m45 AR talented fade vs Moody tight coverage
5m10 AR turned corner on Wiggs, foul
4m27 great help by Dray, guarded two guys!
4m15 GOAT push shot
2:34:15 we've gone with Moody over GP2 (almost threw up on the floor per Damon Bruce?)
3m45 Lonnie again runner off PNR
3m33 Dray moves on the screen
3m05 Moody hangs to decide to pass to Wiggs, extra pass to Klay 3
2m45 Steph tells Klay to come back and help on LBJ and Klay agrees
2m15 Lakers good D leaving Moody
2m00 Lonnie unconscious J over Steph, lead by 1
1m45 Klay hero 3 clank
1m22 ghost foul on Steph vs LBJ, not challenged?!?!
1m10 Steph G4 layup
0m50 awesome box out by Steph, fouled by AR
0m40 Steph dancing vs AD, Dray reb, reload no good vs AD, Lonnie fouled (not a landing spot foul by AD, it was actually good defense)
0m10 jump ball, Klay vs AD jump but Wiggs gets to jump it
0m05 Steph tov
2:51:30 even though down 3-1, the dog predicted us to win the series 4-3
3:06:00 came down to the one play where they left Moody and we couldn't turn it into anything, nobody came to Moses, no urgency (it was actually Dray who I think then turned the ball over iirc?)
3:09:30 just need to win one, we're right there, only lost by 3
3:17:00 what Steve said about trusting Klay
3:27:30 maybe we just need another game to get our hands around this -- Lakers are so different, wish we had a 9- or 11-game series to figure them out (OKC, SAC, UTA all trying to play fast)
3:31:30 next game: let LBJ/AD get theirs but shut down everyone else?
3:53:00 on Kerith saying JP didn't want to talk to media inside the locker room, "heightened the tension", we talk about how JP probably too pissed off to talk to media
4:14:00 Dean: (before this) LeBron is awesome and we've beat him 3 times
4:25:00 the fact that we can even consider Kuminga as an X-factor going forward is pretty cool, actually
4:53:45 bunch of little parts of everybody's game that was off which was odd considering the backs-against-the-wall theory, staying calm and cool to keep that composure
4:57:00 on the Corgi that's predicting the Warriors
4:59:00 is Draymond exhausted from guarding AD?
5:21:00 looking up Lonnie Walker, also getting a text from my buddy Mark who is a diehard high IQ Laker fan: "He has been scoring earlier in the season. But nothing after the trade. He had a bunch of Coach's DNP's. Some games we would joke that the lakers must be winning big if Lonnie walker gets in. And I wouldn't call him clutch either. He was clutch tonight. That's the most I've seen him score in a row. Lakers def lose without him tonight. Dlo 1-10"
• Steve Kerr pregame Game 4, on how he’s seen a wear-down effect on guys who have to chase Steph Curry (and Klay and Draymond): “That’s what makes them unique, both individually and as a tandem… speed… pace… push… it’s not just pick and roll… dribble handoff game… it is unique… defenses have to cover and it’s not easy because sometimes we don’t even know what ere doing… constant movement… relentless with their pace.”
• On the team staying even-keeled: “Yeah… calmness… our guys are very practical about it, they just follow Steph’s lead.”
• On Wiggins: “…so awesome to have him back… the defense that he gives us on LeBron and the other best wings in the league… size… length… tenacity… 9 boards last game.”
• On GP2: “Gary is a very unique player… excellent defender but a very unique offensive player… sets screen… plays like a big but moves like a guard… big-game experience… we trust him.”
• On making a change based on the big picture vs previous loss: “…five years ago we weren’t gonna make any lineup changes unless it was due to injury… a lot of versions of this team this season… move pieces around and try to find a puzzle that fits.”
• On if he was concerned GP2 would even come back at all: “We had no idea. After he failed the physical… we just left it in the hands of our training staff… we weren’t really sure… tough thing at the trade deadline when you trade for a player you haven’t had before… with Gary it was an easy fit.”
• On Shams Charania announcing that GP2 would be a starter, or on the aggression that have to set: “(Jokes:) We have a special correspondent in our organization who shares information, apparently… you’re taking a different tact, I like it, Monte (Poole, who asked the question)… take care of the ball and do a better job of defending without fouling then we can play more our game…”
• On what happens to the special correspondent: “That has not been addressed.”
• On Steph’s calmness in the postseason and the guys having been through it before: “Experience matters… it doesn’t guarantee anything… last week, down 2-0 to Sacramento and facing a Game 7 on the road… Boston… they feel the confidence that comes from Steph and Draymond and Klay…”
• On if the vets have to vocalize that: “Both… inevitably there will be some words of wisdom shared from our leaders as well.”
• On game-planning AD: “Davis is dominant… we knew coming into the series how good the Lakers were… their defense is excellent with him anchoring…”
• On how different the playoffs were with MJ and nowadays as a coach: “It’s very different… as a player I was much more concerned with my own performance… as a coach I’m thinking more as a team… how each player’s feeling… how I can help them… in some ways it’s even more gratifying… see how happy everybody is.”
• Darvin Ham pregame Game 4, on anticipating changes before or during: “focus is more on us and what we’re able to do well… last thing you wanna do is speculate… coverages and adjustments for what you don’t know for sure… ability to pivot and adjust pretty quickly… main ingredients: effort, energy…”
• On what he likes from the offense: “…running habits… even after a made shot… running off the ball with pace… initial wave… continuing… getting hits… living in the paint… try to do all that once again tonight.”
• On AD dealing with one day in-between games: “We just ask him to go out and play as hard as he can for 48 minutes… best possible AD night in and night out…”
• On GP2 (given he’s been tweeted as starting): “helluva player… multi-faceted… reminds me of Bruce Brown in Denver… phenomenal athlete and plays the right way… great kid, great attitude…”
• On LeBron pre-foot injury and post-foot injury: “That time after he went down in the Dallas game it allowed his body to calm down because we had pushed him… watch these new pieces get aligned… the system that we’ve implemented… he’s seen he doesn’t have to do it all. He’s still able… but his teammates are able to carry a large load… plethora of guys now that can control different segments of the game… he doesn’t have to force the issue… pick his spots… play off the ball… made him more efficient… saved him from injury… a little pop to him… fun… competing hard for one another… not have to dictate each and every scenario.”
• On if he knows D’Angelo Russell will have a good game: “You never can tell, man… playing with that pop… decisive… I tell him all the time, just stay aggressive… assertive… when he’s locked in I can tell just through his decisiveness.”
• On D’Lo not thinking the Lakers would come together this fast and if he feels the same: “You never know how something’s gonna work out… shootaround sort of became our practices… high-IQ basketball players… asking the right questions… we’re at a good place… most of it was done on the fly… the type of basketball minds that we have… high, high-skilled players… natural fit with our two big dogs… Rui got here a little bit before they did… communication… film study… good rhythm.”
On coaching in the playoffs: “…asking all the right questions… inquisitive… LeBron… mental… aggression… togetherness… competitiveness… I feel blessed… ready to get to more games, more different scenarios… put the work in.”
👍👍💛💙