Golden State Warriors: 5 Keys To Avoiding Elimination In Game 5

4. Put Klay On Russ

Okay, so the Warriors need to get rid of that free safety spot that Donovan and Roberson have exploited. But with Russell Westbrook playing like a Biblical plague raining down destruction on the Bay Area, who is supposed to guard Roberson?

It’s painstakingly simple really: Put the freaking league MVP on Roberson and let your best perimeter defender (Klay Thompson) draw the difficult task of locking down Westbrook.

To be honest, it’s somewhat baffling Kerr hasn’t made this adjustment already.

Through the first two games of the series, Westbrook shot 3-of-16 when defended by Klay Thompson…which makes it almost irresponsible that Kerr not only went away from it, but stuck his MVP on a player who plays with pure energy, adrenaline and bursts of speed toward the basket.

For the series, Westbrook has been the biggest catalyst behind OKC’s unstoppable offense, which is racking up 107.3 points per 100 possessions against a top-five defense that only gave up 100.9 points per 100 possessions during the regular season.

Through the first four games of the Western Conference Finals, Westbrook is averaging 27.3 points, 11.8 assists, 6.5 rebounds and 3.8 steals per game on .420/.364/.868 shooting splits with a +12.0 plus/minus.

He has absolutely torched the Warriors.

Not only is Thompson better suited for a lockdown defensive assignment like this after bottling up James Harden and Damian Lillard in the first two rounds, but Curry — who is still trying to get back to 100 percent after the MCL sprain — should not be wasting all his energy on the defensive end anyway.

Why not hide Curry on Roberson and let the league MVP expend most of his energy on the offensive end where he’s been struggling? Why not try to limit the other team’s most unstoppable force with your most immovable object?

If the Warriors want to win this series, making this switch is a must.

Next: No. 3