Golden State Warriors Will Utilize Depth To Dethrone King James
The Golden State Warriors‘ journey through these NBA Playoffs has taken on a familiar theme. On their trip to the NBA Finals, they have left a trail of All-NBA First Team victims never seen before.
The Warriors entered the playoffs as the top seed and a heavy favorite.
The Pelicans were given little chance to even win a game. Most experts around the league felt they had one hope at pulling off the upset. That hope centered on Anthony Davis being an unstoppable force.
This was the Warriors’ first opportunity to show how their superior team depth can neutralize a superior individual talent. The Warriors used a wave of different defensive looks and bodies to wear Davis down. Each game took on a familiar pattern of the young star dominating early, but fading down the stretch.
Davis’ overall numbers of 31 points and 11 rebounds per game can’t be ignored, but neither can his inability to be effective in the games’ final minutes.
The Warriors ability to overcome one dynamic force with a multitude of weapons has carried them throughout these playoffs. Davis may have been their first test on how to stop a dynamic talent, but it wasn’t their last.
Stephen Curry has become the only All-NBA First Team member to face the other four members in the same playoff season. Curry has led the Warriors through a gauntlet of NBA Stars. With each round came another daunting test, from how to stop the unstoppable Davis, to trying to slow down the bearded MVP runner-up James Harden.
The Warriors have been presented the task of facing a Hall of Fame talent in every round. So it’s only right their last obstacle would be facing the “Ultimate Talent”, LeBron James. Facing LeBron will present the Warriors with a unique challenge.
They have encountered an offensive juggernaut in each round of the playoffs, but for the most part, haven’t been hurt by a singular great performance. However, a great performance by LeBron doesn’t just mean a great scoring night.
His ability to create scoring opportunities for teammates is what makes King James dangerous. Although the Warriors have faced better scorers leading up to the Finals, they haven ‘t faced a better play-maker.
Steve Kerr must force James into being a volume shooter and can’t allow his inner Magic Johnson to take over. He can’t be allowed to control the game like he did versus the Atlanta Hawks. The same game plan utilized against the New Orleans Pelicans and Anthony Davis must be in play versus LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Warriors must use their superior depth to ultimately wear down LeBron. The same wave of defenders used to slow down Harden must be thrown at Cleveland’s native son.
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This is the series the shows why Bob Myers won Executive of the Year honors. The Warriors’ ability to throw a massive wave of long-lengthy defenders at LeBron is a huge sub-plot in the series.
The Warriors used the athletic quickness of Andre Iguodala and Harrison Barnes to harass Harden into an NBA playoff record 13 turnovers. Harden is a dynamic scorer, but doesn’t offer the play-making ability of James.
The Warriors ability to play the passing lanes will go a long way towards slowing Cleveland down. Their length and speed must be able to eliminate those pinpoint cross-court passes LeBron loves to make.
If the Warriors are able to apply their defensive pressure on the Cavaliers and create turnovers, they could dominate the series.
Golden State is relying on that old theme that “Defense wins Championships.” Their quest to raise the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the first time in 40 years is relying on it.