The ghost of Chris Webber (the Michigan one, not Warriors or Kings version) made an appearance on Sunday afternoon.
Steve Kerr’s face says it all.
With 42.4 seconds remaining, the Warriors led the Kings by five points and had possession of the ball. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where that ends with a loss.
Yet, they nearly pulled that feat off in ignominious fashion. After an unsuccessful challenge on a Kevon Looney moving screen, Golden State was out of timeouts.
Apparently, no one was aware.
More than a minute after the challenge, following a defensive stop that should have been game-sealing, Curry called a timeout without any remaining. It netted a technical free throw and possession for the Kings, which turned into a De’Aaron Fox 3-pointer, effectively a four-point play.
The deficit was cut to a point, and nearly turned into a Kings win. Harrison Barnes missed a contested game-winner with Curry in his face.
After the game, Steve Kerr took the blame for the situation.
“I knew we didn’t have any time outs left,” Kerr said. “We took the challenge and when the challenge was unsuccessful, as we were exiting the huddle, that’s on me. I gotta remind the guys we’re out of timeouts. I didn’t say that and so Steph wasn’t aware.
“So that’s on me for not making that clear and then on that play, we had all four of the other guys running to the other end and they had Steph in the back court, we didn’t have a trail man. And so we’ve got to handle the pressure better late game, take care of the ball. But the timeout is 100 percent on me.”
Curry was obviously unaware.
He said he thought he was making a “heady” play before reality quickly set in.
“I knew we challenged, but I didn’t realize that when we lost the challenge that we didn’t have any timeouts left,” Curry said. “I know coach mentioned that he took the blame for it. I ain’t gone lie, I thought it was the smartest play in the world when I got the ball, turned around, saw the trap, realized there were no real outlets and instead of turning it over, trying to make the heady play.
“Then I looked over at the bench and everyone was shaking their head.”
Draymond Green also took responsibility for the situation.
He was discussing a moment after the game when he was seen talking to general manager Bob Myers.
Green said he was talking to Myers about ways he could be better, especially at the end of the game, and deflected criticism from Curry.
“I know everyone will blame Steph and say, ‘Oh man, he called the timeout.’ But I’m supposed to trail the play and not leave him on an island and I left him on an island,” Green said. “And then I gave up a three to Fox. I let them cut it to one as opposed to taking the three away you’re up four. If they score two, so be it, and I didn’t do that.”
Kevon Looney said the Warriors were “not locked in,” at that moment, which is pretty astounding for the four-time champions.
If they’re to win on the road in Sacramento, in spite of their 11-32 road record this season, that won’t do. The series is now a best-of-three, with proceedings heading back north on Wednesday night.
