Warriors’ Defense Leads the Way as Curry Eyes Return
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The Golden State Warriors own the NBA’s stingiest defense over the past two weeks and sit third league-wide for the season, a turnaround that began after forward Draymond Green publicly criticized the team’s effort following a November 26 loss to Houston.
Defensive Surge
Golden State has kept three straight opponents below 100 points by pressuring the ball and mixing man-to-man with zone schemes, tactics that offset the roster’s lack of traditional size. Guard De’Anthony Melton, who returned last week from an ACL tear, has added another on-ball stopper to coach Steve Kerr’s rotation.
“We’re taking away some of the easy stuff,” Kerr said. “Overall, we’re doing a better job containing dribble penetration and just helping each other and playing with a lot of energy.”
Offensive Challenges
The Warriors rank 22nd offensively, an issue Kerr links to persistent turnovers. Unexpected production has helped cover for injuries, most notably from reserve point guard Pat Spencer. Over the past four games, the former lacrosse standout is averaging 16.0 points and 5.8 assists while shooting 59.1 percent as Stephen Curry nurses a quad contusion and muscle strain.
“He’s a really good downhill pick-and-roll player,” Kerr said of Spencer. “You need that type of action, especially in the modern game with the floor spacing. And he’s a good passer.”
Curry, Melton on Managed Workloads
Curry completed a full scrimmage Wednesday, and while no decision has been made for Friday’s matchup with Minnesota, Kerr indicated the outlook for the two-time MVP is “promising.”
Melton logged 21 and 17 minutes in his first two appearances and is expected to remain on a similar limit. Kerr does not plan to use him in both halves of back-to-back sets until his conditioning improves.
Kuminga’s Trade Eligibility Approaches
Forward Jonathan Kuminga will become eligible to be traded on January 15. Speculation intensified after he received a DNP-CD on Sunday in Chicago. “I can imagine it’s not easy for him,” Kerr said. “My desire is for JK to be the best player he can be, regardless of where he ends up, whether it’s here or elsewhere.”
Spencer’s Path from Lacrosse to the NBA
Spencer, regarded as one of the greatest lacrosse players in NCAA history, recently discussed his decision to pursue professional basketball in a video feature for NBC Sports Bay Area.
Source: Hoops Rumors
