They're playing plenty hard now... the point is that during the regular season its hard to adjust to their speed/effort. Not so much the case in the playoffs. Yes, effort/speed go a long way and they likely still win tonight if they can hit a single 3 in the second half. Also, the Spurs have a lot more length/size that can contain guys like Lebron if they're healthy... the Warriors are one of the smallest teams in the NBA, and ultimately can be beat if you adjust to their speed.
I think you're underrating the Warriors overall. They have Bogut and Lee on the interior. They have length on the perimeter with Iggy, Green, Klay, and Barnes. They have the shooting to place at that pace, and they have the playmakers at most positions. And they play great defense to generate that pace. The only way you can slow the pace down is if you consistently score on them and get back on defense. Hence, the only teams that can beat them in the West are the Spurs and OKC. I'm more and more impressed with the Warriors as the season go on. I still have a "healthy" Spurs and OKC over any team in the West, but Warriors are my 3rd best bet after that. And like I said, Kerr has been managing his starters' minutes great. Fatigue won't be a factor for them at all in April.
Guarantee if that was noah over Green/speigts, they would have been called for the foul and two freethrows.... I GUAARAAAANTEEEE
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>This is Rose's first 40-minute game since April 15, 2012.</p>— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) <a href="https://twitter.com/KCJHoop/status/560315813488779264">January 28, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
This game just shows that you have to force GSW to guard you. Move the ball around, get them running around. Curry and Klay looked gassed. *hint hint at Rocket*. You have to get Curry to play defense. That's why GSW owns us this season. Rose was running right through Curry all game long. AMAZING game however, Loved it. GSW relays on that 3 ball to much, ironic huh?
Agreed with everything... except Bogut/Lee on the interior being a big strength. Lee is undersized and Bogut isn't athletic enough to play consistently at this pace. And once you adjust to the Warriors consistently frenetic pace, you can defend them... and score on them (presuming you have a playmaker on offense that can get his own shot). I'd say the Blazers have a great chance at beating them... they're basically the Warriors with a better inside presence, but worse defense.
I missed the game but it was exciting reading the recap of Bulls vs Warriors on Twitter. The media was so disappointed. Glad GSW lost!
