NBA Playoffs: Grading the Golden State Warriors in Game 4

Game 4 was an action-packed, overtime thriller, which saw the Golden State Warriors prevail in overtime, allowing just three points in the extra period. It was great,  but the offense for the Warriors was terrible. They only scored 97 points plus overtime. But their defense, however, receives an A+ as they made the San Antonio Spurs miss when it really mattered.

Grading the Warriors’ stars isn’t hard, but giving them an honest grade is tough. I’m going to do just that. In a grudge-match between these two teams, some players came out to play, while other shrank. Most of the Warriors did well, but not all of them.

May 12, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the ball against the San Antonio Spurs in the first quarter in game four of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

1. Stephen Curry: A-

Considering that he was battling injury, Curry took a shot before the game to relieve his pain. He may have only scored 3-pointers and free throws, but he was able to do some damage in the 22 points that he had in just 39 minutes of play.

Curry did a great job and gave Mark Jackson what he could. Still, he didn’t have one of his incredible games, but he didn’t have to.

2. Klay Thompson: B-

Thompson has been the definition of streaky this season, and he’s continued in the postseason. He didn’t have a terrible game with 10 points, four rebounds and three steals, but he wasn’t able to make the crowd cheer.

Thompson will only be deadly on the road, because he’s that type of player who likes to silence the crowd. The only reason I didn’t give him a lower grade than this is because when it mattered, he hit some clutch shots, and played solid defense.

3. Harrison Barnes: A+

May 12, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson (left) instructs small forward Harrison Barnes (40) against the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter in game four of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Spurs 97-87 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

For a rookie, Barnes sure showed up. People are already saying that he’s the best rookie that’s in the playoffs, and the stats will support those people.

The Warriors are the only lottery team from last year to be in the second round, let alone the playoffs. Barnes has played great so far, and he’s learning the NBA.

Sunday, he guarded Kawhi Leonard, and I saw no holes in his excellent performance. Like Thompson, he is inconsistent, but when you have a game like this, people forget all about that.

4. Carl Landry: C

Although Landry had been playing well this postseason, he had a bad Game 4 because he wasn’t able to guard Tim Duncan. He also didn’t do well offensively.

The only reason his grade is this low is because he had such wonderful other games, but failed to produce in this one, so it seems incomparable. He finished with just six points and five rebounds.

5. Andrew Bogut: B+

On the defensive end, Bogut is finally that guy that the Warriors have been searching for. In the middle, he’s contesting shots and getting the big rebounds. He may not be defending the jumpshot, but people need to remember that he’s not quick so he needs to protect the basket.

Unfortunately for him and the Warriors, Duncan is a shooter, and he proved he can make those tough shots like tonight. Bogut didn’t make it difficult for him. Duncan finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds, two steals and two blocks, while Bogut had five points, one block and 18 rebounds.

May 12, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Jarrett Jack (2) celebrates after game four of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Spurs 97-87 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

6th Man – Jarret Jack: A

For Jack, it was one of those perfect games where he was making the tough shots, freeing himself up and finding his teammates. The only flaw in Jack’s game was taking a highly contested jumpshot in the final seconds, while some of his other teammates could have had better looks. He made up for it in overtime however. On this night, he finished with 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal.

Bench: D-

It could have been because Jackson didn’t really give any huge minutes to the bench players, but other than Jack, the Warriors’ bench was awful, scoring just four points. Festus Ezeli didn’t have a great game, and neither did Draymond Green, but then again, they didn’t play that much. David Lee was minus-12, but played eight minutes. Andris Biedrins provided undoubtedly the greatest production with a plus-two in five minutes.