Golden State Warriors: 3 takeaways from Game 1 vs. Spurs
3. Kerr prioritizing defense, effort with rotation decisions
Steve Kerr has made multiple bold strategic postseason moves during his tenure with the Warriors, but only when his team is in trouble. Until things get bad, he favors continuity.
Therefore, there are two possible explanations for why Kerr inserted Andre Iguodala into the starting lineup to kick off Round 1.
- His coaching style has evolved.
- His team was already in trouble.
Whatever made Kerr take a non Kerr-like approach in Game 1, his motivation was clear: Get as much defense and high-intensity guys on the floor as possible. The Warriors had the league’s No. 17-ranked defense (107.8) over their final 17 games, and Quinn Cook — who most expected to start at point guard — was not the least of the reasons why. Iguodala does not replace Stephen Curry’s offensive skill-set as well as Cook, but Kerr deemed the tradeoff worthwhile.
He also went with JaVale McGee at starting center. While this move was not defensively motivated, McGee does bring terrific effort. There was an energy about the team from the opening tip, something that had not been felt since McGee’s last stint as a starter (when he helped the Warriors come out of the All-Star break 7-0). He finished with 15 points, four rebounds and two blocks in 16 minutes.
Defense and effort was a theme beyond the starting five. Kevon Looney played 20 minutes, Shaun Livingston 19 and David West 16 — all well above their season averages — while Nick Young, Zaza Pachulia and Cook all played less than normal. You should notice a pattern by now.
The energy may have come from Kerr’s rotational tweaks. It may have come without them, because, let’s face it, this was the first game that mattered to the Warriors all season.
It also may have come simply from the fact that Kerr did it. He has had trouble lighting a fire under his team this season, but seeing him go into his “down 2-1 to Memphis or Cleveland” mode may have been the spark his vets needed.