SACRAMENTO: It is not a rivalry. They don’t just appear out of thin air—or, in this instance, during an incredible seven-game playoff series. Furthermore, while giving the Kings their due, they haven’t caught nearly enough noteworthy moments versus the Warriors to warrant using the R-word.
However.
The conditions are right for a competitive season series, if nothing else, in the battle for Nor Cal supremacy. The Kangs have departed from these Kings. They have 48 victories under their belt, two spots in the All-Star Game, excitement, the Beam, the playoffs (finally! ), and the Return of the Cowbell.
The Warriors, of course, don’t require a history lesson. They’re older, more exposed than they’ve been lately, including Chris Paul into the mix right now, and Draymond is still out of the picture for the time being.
But enough with the criticisms. No mention of Stephen Curry has been made.
Five lessons can be learned from the Warriors’ 122-114 victory on Friday.
1. At Golden 1 Center, Curry is the Golden One.
The Kings are still attempting to stop Curry at the Sacramento city boundaries, five months after he blasted them with a 50-piece in their home during Game 7, and now one day after he dropped 41 on them in their home opener.
It could be a good idea to flash a red light at Golden 1 Center everytime he appears, just as a warning.
He was 7 for 10 from deep and 14 for 19 overall, not only did he score, but he did so with efficiency. With a few minutes remaining, the Kings overcame an 18-point deficit (this game wasn’t particularly close), and Curry gave them the night-night sign.
“It was simply about settling into a rhythm and maintaining it,” the man stated.
Steve Kerr, the coach of the Warriors, took a lighthearted stance against the notion that Curry is a native of Sacramento.
Kerr stated, “Steph owns a lot of arenas.” It’s Steph. Is there anything more to say?
2. Kings are no longer cunning
Because they can no longer sneak up on anybody, the Kings’ job is to build on the momentum they created in the previous season.
Teams used to mark the Kings on their schedules for entirely different reasons in the recent past since it was a weak point. However, the Kings are now viewed as a load by almost everyone because to the respect the team received over the previous season.When you have Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox, and a respectable group of supporting players on your side, opponents aren’t resting their stars against Sac anymore. Fox led the way with 39 points on Friday.
The good news for the Kings is this: For Golden State to win the remaining two games, Curry had to score ninety-one points. They asked for and received his best. Is that a step forward for Sac?
3. Who is going to take home the Kia Sixth Man Award?
Kerr will eventually have to choose his lineup, and it won’t be long now. Kerr gained some time due to Draymond’s injury, but time is running out. Who is going to switch from being a starter to a substitute?
It’s either Paul, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, or Kevon Looney, excluding Draymond and Curry. When Draymond returned to practice on Friday, Kerr dismissed the problem once more.
Is the topic, however, overrated? Who finishes, who is on the ground in the crucial time, and who accrues the most minutes matter more than who gets the ball rolling.
Kurt Rambis began his career with winning Laker squads. But did he really matter more than Michael Cooper? or perhaps late in the matchup with Larry Bird?
It’s an easy fix. After asking players to examine their egos, Kerr will rotate the starting lineup based on the opponent’s size and the outcome of the game that night. Which Warrior adjusts more readily off the bench, too?
Lastly, it would be shocking if anyone other than Paul, Curry, Klay, Draymond, and Wiggins were the five players remaining on the floor in a close game.
4. Whose sphere is that?
In related news, Kerr has to choose between Draymond and Paul as the offensive lineman. On championship Warriors teams, one has taken ownership of that duty. One of the all-time great playmakers and set-up men is the other.
Draymond’s case: Why change something if it ain’t broke?
Paul’s argument is strong since, after two games, he is averaging nine assists and is the team’s most deft passer.
Of course, the Warriors can play both together, but the longer they play together, the more likely it is that one of them will be out of sorts and thus not in the ideal position to contribute.
Everyone is speaking in the correct tones. Nevertheless, Kerr is limited to shrugging and saying, “We’ll sort all that out,” until the Warriors are complete.
5. The final word from the bench
The Warriors are anticipating growth from Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga, and thus far this season, so good. Their success greatly depends on how they progress, both in terms of winning and whether they should be awarded contract extensions for the upcoming summer.
They scored 22 points on Friday together, and most of all, they were energetic and competitive. A pair of youthful legs that can pick up the pace and establish a rapport with Paul on screens and lobs is exactly what the Warriors need.
“Year three. Both seem to be playing with a great deal of assurance, Kerr remarked.
Additionally, these are the last players from the recent Warriors drafts, which have yielded inconsistent results. Considering that James Wiseman, the No. 2 overall pick in 2020, is currently attempting to rescue his career in Detroit, it’s safe to say the Warriors misjudged him. The previous year, Jordan Poole was a steal at No. 28 and helped win a title, but due to chemistry, he was benched in favor of Paul, who is 14 years old.
Paul might play more with the second team since the younger players will need his leadership and maturity more than Curry, Draymond, and Thompson will.
