Golden State Warriors: 3 takeaways from Game 4 vs. Pelicans

3. Holiday’s defense was never the issue for KD

Through nine playoff games, there has been one constant for Golden State: Durant has gotten good looks.

Doing so has never been easier for any player in NBA history, of course. But Durant’s mix of center size and guard skills has been especially apparent against two teams without an elite forward defender. In Round 1, LaMarcus Aldridge was too slow and Danny Green was too small. In Round 2, Anthony Davis is too important as a rim protector (and is also too slow), and Holiday is even smaller than Green.

Still, Durant struggled through three games. He was shooting just 46.3 percent from the field and 23.1 percent from deep, scoring 25.5 points on 20.5 shots per game. Holiday was deservedly praised for playing excellent defense, but Durant’s relative struggles were never really about Holiday.

Game 4 revealed why. The 6’10” Durant was shooting over the top of Holiday and his other defenders, just as he has all series. He just finally started making them.

The Houston Rockets have more like-sized guys to throw at Durant, should the two teams advance to the next round. After Durant’s breakout game, the Warriors are exceedingly likely to get there.