OAKLAND — The refs should’ve rattled the Golden State Warriors in the third quarter Thursday against the Los Angeles Clippers. At the very least, they should’ve prevented them from erupting for 50 freaking points in one quarter.
Draymond Green was whistled for a technical for slowly walking near official and asking him “How?” after a foul call. The bench picked up a technical for celebrating. The normally reserved Andre Iguodala was slapped with one for arguing while shooting free throws. Golden State had six fouls called against them to start the quarter; Los Angeles had zero. The basketball game was twisting in way where the Clippers should’ve been the benefactors.
This, when the tides are completely turned against them and emotions are running high on the court, is exactly where the Warriors keep proving they’re at their absolute best in 2016-17.
The formula is the same as its always been: Make the opponent uncomfortable with defense, start fast breaking (31 points came in transition in the third), and the floor spreads like peanut butter and jelly, giving Durant, Curry and Thompson the wide open looks that push the crowd into mayhem. The Clippers couldn’t think on the floor.
“Do you give up layups or do you give up 3s?” J.J. Redick said after a 10th straight loss to Golden State. “You’re going to lose somehow.”
While simultaneously wrestling the officials, the Warriors began choke slamming the Clippers. What should’ve been negative energy ended up stirring the Warriors’ rather than sapping them. They are becoming masters at channeling emotions in their favor, which could end up being the deciding element in June against Cleveland.
Kevin Durant scored 14 points in the first four minutes of the third quarter; Stephen Curry finished the final four with 17. The pure scoring from two former MVP’s is the ying, while Draymond Green continues to play the role of yang. A shouting match between he and Steve Kerr further pushed emotions to dangerously high levels. Yet the crowd continues to respond to Green’s aggressive tactics.
“He kept us composed — well he didn’t keep us composed,” Durant said of Draymond to laughs at his post game press conference, realizing the irony. “He stayed in the game and his energy was kind of contagious.”
“I want Draymond going right up to the edge,” Steve Kerr said, “but not cross it.”
Scoring 50 points was the headline grabbing feat in the team’s 10th straight win over the Clippers. But the ability to rally and respond when conditions are not favorable is becoming a hallmark trait for this version of the Warriors. I like the term Durant is using: Contagious Composure. When Draymond starts to become unhinged it’s as almost as if everyone else becomes more poised, more focused.
It’s this type of regular season training that’ll help tremendously in the postseason. Think of the other emotionally charged contests so far this year. Durant’s first game against the Thunder, where he was admittedly nervous, turned into a bloodbath before halftime. The Cavaliers made their return trip to Oracle Arena having beaten the Warriors on a last-second Kyrie Irving shot on Christmas Day. Then they were promptly boat-raced in a 35-point loss on MLK day in January. Cupcake has now become the phrase of the year after what transpired in Oklahoma City.
I get it. The NBA’s regular season is as meaningful as the NFL’s preseason. Bragging about wins over a depleted Thunder team should not be the crux of an argument of why this year’s Warriors are more equipped than last year’s.
But good — and bad — habits can be formed in these otherwise unimportant months. Had the Warriors gone on to lose this return game from the All-Star break to the Clippers (without Chris Paul), and Green was ejected, it would’ve showed this Warriors team can still let the referees get under their skin — to the point where it thwarts a comeback attempt.
Because we all know how emotional the NBA Finals got last year. Draymond Green tapped LeBron below the belt and got suspended which swung the series. Curry threw his mouthpiece in Game 6 and was ejected. His wife tweeted the league was rigged. The Warriors were off as shooters in that series, but they were also off emotionally.
Right now, Golden State is a more efficient basketball team than they were a year ago. And they also seem to be able to handle emotional swings in basketball games.
