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Golden State Warriors: Will the real champs please stand up

By Deion Higginbotham

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MAY 06: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts with his team after scoring a three pointer against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center on May 6, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MAY 06: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts with his team after scoring a three pointer against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center on May 6, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors have struggled more than expected so far in the 2019 NBA Playoffs. With that, it’s time for the real champs to step up.

Houston we have a problem. Get it? Well, we do indeed have a pretty big problem. Wil the real Golden State Warriors please stand up and fast. Stephen Curry finally showed up in this second round matchup against the Rockets and he didn’t need to go sit in the corner to find his game.

He just needed to play it.

We have been spoiled by Curry’s out of this world shooting the last four out of five years. We have grown accustomed to how he does his business on the court, almost superhero-like.

However, in these 2019 playoffs, Curry has been only human — let’s be real Curry has been very bad. Although something clicked for Curry in Game 4 he finished the game with 37 points, he had 17 in the second half and eight assists. He also had a wide-open look with seconds left to send the game into overtime after Kevin Durant‘s miss.

In Game 4, the Warriors were just  8-for-33 and it’s not as if the Houston Rockets are doing anything special defensively, the Warriors are just missing shots. The Warriors know who they are. They have won three titles — two with Durant — and they are among the legends, but in this series, it’s no longer about what the Warriors will be, but who they will be.

Even though it may seem in this fairytale that it’s more so the Rockets trying to fight their demons and beat the Warriors, it is more so the Warriors quest; especially for their starting point guard who is just playing inconsistent right now. He isn’t helping himself or the team. Even with a great bounce-back game in Game 4, the warriors came ever-so-close to winning, but still ultimately lost.

Some have argued that Durant’s need for the ball has hurt Curry’s ability to find a rhythm. Some others have argued that it’s Curry’s hand that bothers him. You can argue that, but the fact is Curry has missed a lot of easy shots within the restricted areas, seven in Game 3 alone.

The Warriors had two chances to take command of this series, to break the city of Houston again. They wasted both of them. The Warriors now head home to try and find their own heart because they didn’t show it in two games in Houston.

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They did it at home in Games 1 and 2 with impressive three-point shooting and they did it in spurts in Houston. This series now enters unfavorable mass games and James Harden and the Rockets have been all the Warriors can handle. Golden State has all the talent in the world on their team, but that isn’t bailing them out in this series.

This is a fight.

Houston is as desperate as they’ve ever been. The Warriors will now head home where they haven’t been great, needing a win to not only prevent a huge disaster but to reclaim some pride in themselves and to reclaim this series. They have to do it against this Houston team who many believe has what it takes to actually defeat the Warriors.

The Warriors are officially on notice.

Draymond Green said it best when talking about the team’s recent struggles following Monday night’s loss.

"“They’re doing whatever it takes to win. We’re just rolling in there, and they’re slamming us. That’s why it’s 2-2.”"

Curry has been playing with a dislocated middle finger since Game 2 which many believe is why he is struggling. He has to take the pain for what it is — these are the playoffs. This series won’t be pretty. This is Lakers vs Celtics style basketball, where you hate each other. This is a push, kick, claw series.

The Warriors have to dig deep. Houston is already doing it.

Do the Warriors have it in them? This season hasn’t been pretty for the back-to-back world champs. Filled with turmoil, internal problems, and pressure from the outside, do the Warriors have enough to finish the job. Or rather do they have enough to finish the dynasty? Can they match the Rockets intensity and physicality?

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Something happened in the fourth quarter last night when the Warriors were down 15, they became desperate. It didn’t hurt that the Rockets had missed 16 of their last 20 shots. The Warriors started to make a few more shots.

They were back in it, they got comfortable, and with seconds left Durant got open and could have tied it. Durant missed a really good look from the top of the key grabbed his own rebound, then passed it to Curry, who got a really good look and it rimmed out.

The Warriors are getting closer to playing a complete game, but it’s not about getting close. It’s about when for most fans. Houston’s rough linebacker style of play prevents the Warriors from playing their best ball.

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Houston plays “rec ball,” they rebound, they hustle, they have the isolation and the three-pointers. They take away good looks and they ground-and-pound to take your energy.

The Golden State Warriors are confident as they should be — they are the champs. But Houston, much like last year, has their attention. The champs are now on notice.

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