In their heyday, the Golden State Warriors were never outside of a game. Apparently they dug 20 point holes on purpose just for the pleasure of shooting their way out of them. They’re not the same team anymore, but as long as you have Stephen Curry, the threat of achieving the impossible will live in your team’s DNA.
Such was the case Monday night against the Clippers, when the Warriors rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final two and a half minutes to put themselves in position to tie the game on a 3-pointer by Gary Payton II. after an absolutely wild final sequence.
As you saw, the Warriors had two great looks at the tying three-pointer. Well, Curry’s wasn’t a great look by any normal standards, but any Curry shot has a good chance of going in and was about a half-inch long. Payton’s shot, courtesy of the Clippers all understandably scrambling toward Curry, was a warm-up 3-pointer.
It didn’t work, and that stinks for Payton, who gave the Warriors the chance they needed in the first place by picking off Norman Powell’s dribble. But Payton isn’t a particularly good 3-point shooter, though he’s certainly capable, and the Clippers made the right decision in going to Curry at the expense of an open look at Payton, or anyone else.
Let’s be clear: the Warriors did not deserve to win this game. The Clippers outplayed them all night. But the best team on any given night doesn’t always win. Again, the Warriors used to beat teams with a couple of five-minute runs all the time. And that’s a powerful weapon to have in your holster, so you’re never left out of a game.
This team still has that feeling of being able to achieve the impossible. Curry gives them the firepower, but defense is equally important. There are no crazy races exchanging baskets. You have to do everything you can to move forward, and this team can do that. It wasn’t enough on Monday, but it’s a trait that will serve them well for the rest of the season.
