Golden State Warriors: 5 Keys To Repeating In 2015-16

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Jun 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) celebrates with forward Draymond Green (23) during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game one of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Managing Starters’ Minutes

To win in the NBA these days, you need to have talent, but you also need to be able to manage the minutes of that talent to make sure everyone is fresh for the postseason.

It’s why LeBron James’ teams have fallen just short — they ride him too hard in the regular season due to injuries or overall need and in the playoffs, he’s left to play the role of savior with banged up teammates. It’s why the San Antonio Spurs have remained relevant for so long. And it’s part of the reason the Warriors took home their first title in 40 years last season.

Last year under Steve Kerr, Curry’s minutes were reduced by nearly four per game compared to the season before. Thompson’s dropped by nearly four, Bogut’s dropped by almost three and Harrison Barnes’ minutes stayed the exact same despite being moved into the starting lineup.

That same kind smart management of the core’s minutes will need to continue in 2015-16, despite whatever impulse there might be to retaliate against everyone else’s best shot on a nightly basis.

Next: No. 3

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