re: Realistically, how do we win a series vs GSW?

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My gut is telling me he will be back for the series with all of these first round matchups going seven

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Pretty much irrelevant to the start date of our series

It can still start on Saturday. The latest is Monday to my knowledge.

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Why is no one talking about how we are going to defend Curry?

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we can't beat them if he plays, and plays like a healthy Curry. That's why.
The only way we would have a chance at beating them with Curry is if Solo stepped his game up and was able to do a decent job defending Durant, while also not throwing up bricks when he has a wide open 3.
Since he's been back, he either makes the 3, or brick/airballs it. there's rarely anything in between.

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hope that Curry comes back rusty.

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Right. People talk about Curry returning as though he'll be the same when he's back out there. Any return in the series would be aggressive and on the early side of the recovery period for a grade 2 MCL sprain. If he plays in the second round he'll be limited. He'll be okay to spot up and shoot, but he won't be the same moving on both ends. Jrue will iso him up all day.

ETA: It doesn't feel like Curry would return before, say, Pelicans go up 2-0 or push Warriors to elimination.

Goldies will throw the ball away. Curry sits.
Pels up, 2 games to 0.

Curry returns. Oh oh. Pace increases, spacing improves for kd and Klay.
Golden in 7.

I think the Pels have a puncher's chance to win the series. If Curry doesn't return until game 3, we need to take care of business in the first two games. We have the same mismatch at C that they have at SF. If Jrue and Mirotic equal Klay and Green's production, Playoff Rondo should be the difference in the first two games. In order to win the series, we need to win the first 2 games. We would only have to win two of the five games Curry plays, that would be a huge task.

Pels were somewhat competitive last time these two teams met. GS had a better roster, we had a worse roster. AD was 21 and dominated - Draymond didnt get in his head and they had an even better defensive henchman in Bogut. They had a healthy Curry and Harrison Barnes.

We arent stopping KD - im sure there is a warrior forum somewhere where their MO is "shutting down AD"

Limit 2nd chance points and turnovers and we will be right there and knock down open looks from 3P. We have a fighters chance

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1) Force them off the 3 point line: Make them shoot as many midrange and take it to the rim shots as possible

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you work to make them take those shots, obviously.

an interesting development this season was Golden State taking more mid range shots (top 10 in the league) and converting at 47% on the year (23 FGA from mid range in round 1 at 54% clip). if they do something like that, you just have to tip your cap. you cant take away everything, especially v this team

it will be a different challenge- they don't run nearly as many PnRs as Portland, but rather want everyone to move and touch the ball. i think the Pels shouldn't be afraid to switch everything, even if they end up with terrible matchups. let Rondo guard KD or Green or Klay and see if GS stops playing their motion game to attack the mismatch and gets out of sync.

if they do run PnR, the Warriors have the skill and know how to get a great shot almost every time if the Pels try their trapping scheme on a regular basis.

sagging off Livingston and Iguodala and Green is probably the best play for the Pels, but those guys can all handle, pass, cut, and finish well enough (and are willing to do so) to cause problems in a way the Blazers support players just couldnt

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Supporting cast draining 3s: Rondo, Miller, Mirotic, Moore will have open looks as Davis and Jrue get a ton of attention. They have to make their shots or we have no chance whatsoever.

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their defense will be a different level too. no one has an answer for Davis, but Pels guards wont have it as easy this round. unlike Lillard, McCollum, and Napier, Iguodala, Thompson, Livingston, Green, + Durant can all switch and stay with any of the Pels perimeter players.

im really curious to see how effective a 5 can be for Portland. if they can't keep McGee or Bell or Looney or West (i don't think Pachulia even gets a crack) on the floor v Davis, that is a huge win for the Pels. make Draymond and Durant deal with AD for 48.


my biggest question- both teams want to run and push the pace. the Warriors have thrived on that chaos for 4 years. can the Pels match them or even beat them at their own game in that area?

Jrue has been unguardable the whole second half of the season. I think Evil Jrue can be very effective this series.