Golden State Warriors: 5 Adjustments For Game 2 vs. Thunder
3. Put Klay On Russ
Kevin Durant hit the dagger with 30 seconds left to put OKC up by five, but Russell Westbrook was the true catalyst behind the Thunder’s stunning Game 1 victory. If you’re still clinging to the outdated idea that Westbrook isn’t an elite point guard, ignoring the evidence from Monday night’s win over a 73-win team amounts to outright trolling.
Though he struggled with his shot for most of the night (7-for-21), Russ finished the game with 27 points, 12 assists, seven steals and six rebounds. He made two of his four three-pointers, made 11 of his game-high 14 free throw attempts, and his 19-point third quarter chop a 13-point halftime deficit down to three entering the final frame.
Russ Westbrook is the first player with more than 6 steals in a Conference Finals game during the @bball_ref era (since 1984)
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) May 17, 2016
Having Curry match up with Westbrook makes for some entertaining narratives for the media and the audience, but there’s really no reason for Steve Kerr to put anyone but Klay Thompson on Russ.
In Game 1, the Thunder made life difficult for Kevin Durant, throwing Thompson, Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and frequent double-teams at the former MVP. KD only shot 10-for-30 from the field, and having Green “guard” Andre Roberson as a free safety was an effective tool.
Think Green has been even more extreme in sagging off Roberson. He's basically in the paint the whole time. He's pre-sagging.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) May 17, 2016
But Curry is a quick player who can also jump passing lanes. He’s no defensive mastermind like Draymond, but why not try him in that free safety position and give him the opportunity to jumpstart fast breaks with a steal?
With Curry still trying to get his conditioning and his legs back under him, hiding him on Roberson would help boost his energy on the offensive end while also allowing Thompson to focus on limiting OKC’s most dangerous weapon from Game 1.
Even if that roaming function is scrapped though, Thompson needs to be matched up with Russ. He has the length and defensive skills to at least try to contain Westbrook, which he did remarkably well in the first two rounds against James Harden and Damian Lillard.
Thompson has proven he can weather the storm of scoring on one end and locking down on the other, and with the way Russ dominated Game 1, Kerr needs to make this adjustment sooner rather than later.
Next: No. 2