It was the second unit with Jimmy Butler that went on that 13-0 run at the end of the third quarter against Sacramento that broke the game open.
Prior to that, it felt like basketball impotence again, especially against one of the worst teams in the NBA, although we’ve come to lower expectations as the three best players continue to inch toward forty years old apiece.
Said one Wardell Stephen Curry:
He takes pride in that group being able to win those minutes. Since he’s been here, he’s taken pride in that. And so it is like a drastic change in style, but it’s still a beautiful game when you know he’s getting everybody organized. You saw him getting downhill, kicking out to shooters, knocking down big shots. He puts so much pressure on the defense, every possession, even if he’s not the one shooting. And like I said, guy’s just being ready to knock it down once he makes a play.
That group consisted of De’Anthony Melton, Brandin Podziemski, Will Richard, and Al Horford. No Steph or Draymond Green.
Incidentally, Steve Kerr heaped praise on Melton:
We shall see if that non-Steph-minutes group will need to bail out the Warriors from other mediocre teams coming up. 🤷🏻♂️
00:00 What kind of rhythm are you noticing, the units with Jimmy? What kind of rhythm are those units catching? What have you noticed?
00:13 STEPH CURRY, POSTGAME SAC-GSW: Just the clarity around getting organized when he has the ball, different spots on the court, so we have our spacing. And then just confidence if he’s gonna make a play, get downhill, swing it, whatever the case is, be ready to shoot, be ready to swing it on the backside, keep the ball moving. It helps when you just know what to do and I think he’s lifting that group that way they ended the third quarter, won the game, essentially.
00:48 You guys are averaging 120 over the last 11 games. What flipped and what do you attribute that to?
00:56 The same answer. Yeah, you gotta make shots, but how you create those shots and guys knowing where those shots are coming from, cutting down our turnovers, is a big key because you get just more shots on the rim and offensive rebounds as well. So it all is just making sense right now and you gotta keep doing it.
01:20 To the turnover point another low turnover game, was there a mentality shift with that or what’s going on with another game of low turnovers?
01:30 You still gotta, you got to walk that fine line, like we always say. I know Coach said he’s not talking about it anymore, but we are very mindful of that as a key to us winning games because we do utilize each other more than most teams do, screening, passing, moving bodies, moving the ball. And then if you’re turning over, there’s no defense for that, so it’s not only killing your offense, but it’s not — and it’s not just a score, it’s a momentum. And it’s just a vibe that when we’re turning other teams over and you’re getting easy buckets, everybody’s feeling good. So if you’re giving the other team extra possessions or breakout layups and the meat of the game is hard to overcome that.
02:17 Steph, Steve was saying yesterday that this is the first time it feels like you guys have finally been able to see the team you thought you would be coming into the year. Everybody keeps talking about the rhythm that you all are in eight of 11. What makes you think you can maintain what you guys have going on now?
02:36 I think every team has a belief in themselves until you get smacked in the face. And we have been smacked in the face a couple times this year, but we’ve bounced back and a lot of that has to do with Melton, Al, Gui coming in, making huge contributions, Will finding his way into the rotation. So guys who weren’t as available or not available at all early in the year coming in and then that getting us organized with rotations and lineups and our defense has been pretty solid all year. It’s just the offense has come and gone, so those two guys in particular are, the vets are helping tremendously connect certain lineups. And then we’re playing focused basketball, so just gotta keep it going.
03:25 Steph, you mentioned that 13-0 run to end the third quarter. What’s that like for you?
03:30 You go to the bench, it’s a tie game and not only do they — does the bench unit maintain that, but all of a sudden you’re up 13. What was it like watching that for you?
03:40 It’s nice, Jimmy takes pride in his group winning their minutes. That’s — is that a little Seinfeld? Respect. Respect. He take — he talks about it all the time. He takes pride in us being able to, or in that group being able to win those minutes. Since he’s been here, he’s taken pride in that. And so it is like a drastic change in style, but it’s still a beautiful game when you know he’s getting everybody organized. You saw him getting downhill, kicking out to shooters, knocking down big shots. He puts so much pressure on the defense, every possession, even if he’s not the one shooting. And like I said, guy’s just being ready to knock it down once he makes a play.
04:35 Steph, Draymond had three threes in this game and you assisted on all of them. They certainly get him going. They get the crowd going. What is it like when you can set him up for that shot?
04:45 I’ve been doing it for a very long time. The one at the end of the half or end of the first half, it was like a maze, me trying to get the ball. And then I came off and two guys coming at me and I tell him all the time, you get that shot. We live with it. You take it, you got confidence in it, get your feet set. And all I want to hear is you say boom at the end of it because, like you said, it gets everybody going when he’s knocking down those shots, making defenses pay for how they’re guarding us. Three points, sometimes they’re not all created equal. Those are big shots.
05:28 How you feeling about your Carolina Panthers?
05:30 Feeling great, man. Ready to overcome this disrespect we got with the spread and all that. So I’m excited. It’s cool to do the hype video for him. It’s been like eight years since they’ve been in the playoffs. You’ll know where I’ll be tomorrow at one o’clock. Ready to go. Ready to go.
05:51 Steph, you guys have talked about the depth and so many different contributors all season long, but 66 bench points and then the crowd chanting, “We want Spencer.” What, does that say about this group and just how many different people contribute on, especially tonight?
06:10 It is huge. We’re a deep team. And to the point we’ve talked about it maybe a month ago, the idea that there was 16 guys that Coach could have trust in to put out there and it’s obviously not reasonable to play that many guys every night, but throughout the course of 82, you’re always gonna have moments where you need guys to step up, stay ready for whatever the opportunity is. Pat had that unbelievable run that won us almost three games and, for him to just keep his mind locked in, the presence of Buddy, his energy on the bench is unbelievable in the locker room, coming in, being ready, even though it was — the game was pretty much settled. The way he played tonight is indicative of just a professional doing what he’s supposed to do. Trayce, the same. So all those guys are gonna have moments again throughout the rest of the season to help us get to the playoffs healthy and continue to win. And even if you don’t play, stay locked in because things change quick.
07:20 Steph, it’s been years since, and the team’s obviously different the Kings, but it’s been years since you guys beat them, that seven game series. Then they came back and beat you guys and they end up playing just about 90 miles west of here. There’s a lot of people that still think the King’s Warriors are a rivalry. I’m just curious to know your thoughts on that.
07:39 Geographically. Yeah, that’s about it.
00:00 Had 11 turnovers tonight. Is it easier to swallow that when you have 39 assists?
00:05 STEVE KERR, POSTGAME SAC-GSW: Easier to swallow — ?
00:06 11 turnovers. Digest.
00:10 I recognize the sarcasm and I appreciate it. Yeah, we’re just not talking about it anymore, so it seems to be working.
00:19 What do you think of your offense over the last couple weeks here? You’re averaging 120 points over the last 11 games. What’s led to that?
00:27 Do you want — was that a rhetorical question or — ?
00:32 There has to be more than that though, right?
00:34 Yeah. Yeah, I think we’re in a good groove with our rotation and it helps to have the same lineups out there, to have Melt and Al both healthy and playing well. And it feels like the version of the team that we expected when we signed those guys over the summer, with the depth. And so we’re just, we’re getting into a good groove.
00:59 How actively are you ignoring the turnover conversation? Like, nothing in film?
01:03 I just — I don’t mention the word. I just say, just hit singles, be solid wins the game and I’m not bringing it up anymore.
01:13 How about film? Will you show a — ?
01:15 Nope.
01:15 Bad pass?
01:16 Nope. Not showing any. Just total ignorance. It’s just bury your head in the sand like an ostrich and it’s working.
01:22 So when did you decide this? Do you remember?
01:25 A couple weeks ago. We did it in ‘22 after the Memphis series, when we were turning it over left and right and we just decided, after showing clips of turnovers and talking about it and hammering the point home and it wasn’t working, we just stopped talking about it and that worked, too.
01:45 Was it a specific game this year, you remember it being after, like Toronto?
01:49 Just been the — it’s been the last few games. It’s a good life lesson. Just ignore all of your problems and never acknowledge them. Don’t look in the mirror. Ignorance is bliss, so.
02:00 They get fixed, right?
02:01 Yeah, that’s right. Like a fish.
02:05 Hey Steve, over here. How big was it to extend that lead, especially in those non-Steph minutes?
02:11 Yeah, the end of the third quarter was the key to the game. They played well and hung with us and we never really got much going defensively in the first 32 minutes of the game or so. And then, good stretch of the end of the third to go up, I think, 14 going into the fourth to get some separation. And then obviously a great fourth as well. Really good close to a game that we weren’t really handling very well for the first — most of the first three quarters.
02:44 Is that a concern at all?
02:46 No, it’s to be expected, honestly. Yeah, I just think sometimes you — some of these games at this time of year turn into a little bit of a pickup game for a while, a little loose. And I think understanding how difficult it is to get through the 82 and how hard these guys play night in and night out, there’s just gonna be nights where you don’t have that defensive edge and, as a coach, you pick your spots, you know when to get on them a little bit and when to leave them alone. Tonight was a leave-it-alone night and trust that they’re gonna find their way. And they did.
03:30 I know you mentioned last week that you liked Jimmy’s approach in second units or when Steph was off the floor. What kind of rhythm do you feel like the units led by Jimmy is catching right now?
03:40 Yeah, they’re setting a really good tone when they get out there. They all understand we play through Jimmy and Melt does a great job, Al does a great job getting him the ball, spacing the floor, but also being really aggressive on their own when the shots are there. Melt, Al, BP, they’re taking those shots, but they understand, play through Jimmy first and then see what happens from there.
04:12 Steve, I know you’ve liked your depth for so long, but 66 bench points, chance for Pat Spencer. Does that group continue to just take the pressure off and, again, I think he mentioned building on that lead, but that group came in and did–
04:29 Yeah, we are a very deep team, so we have to rely on that. And this is a time of year when you really lean into that. These are — we’re entering the dog days or maybe we’ve already been there, now till the All-Star Break. It’s the time of year where you wanna lean into your depth and a lot of guys are really stepping up and playing at a high level. I thought both Gary and Gui were fantastic tonight and always fun to see those guys out there with their energy.
05:05 Another question about the bench. It seems like Podz and Melton just play really well together in that second unit. What sort of — how do they complement each other when they’re playing with Jimmy?
05:14 They’re both combo guards. They’re both capable of playing on or off the ball and it’s helpful to have two guys like that taking the pressure off of each other. And then obviously, having both of them be able to handle and get the ball to Jimmy and create on their own a little bit, too. It’s a nice lineup.
05:36 Steve, you mentioned a couple times the last couple days that this was the team you envisioned seeing all along. What is giving you the confidence that you’ll be able to finally maintain the rhythm that it seems like’s been found lately?
05:51 Just the way things are unfolding and we’re gonna have to prove it against some good teams coming up on our schedule, but the way things are unfolding, the connection of the guys, the locker room’s really vibrant. Right now, guys are enjoying the games and enjoying each other and so we’ve got a good vibe and, like I said, with Al and De’Anthony, I think those are the two key guys when we’re talking about this subject that you brought up, just who — what kind of team we’re gonna be, who we are. Those guys are two-way playoff performers. You can put them in any game, so it just feels like the addition of those two guys has changed quite a bit for us.
06:38 Steve, I was wondering about the defense. De’Anthony, how does he unlock the bench defensively as a point-of-attack defender? What has his impact been on that side of the ball for the bench unit?
06:50 His speed and athleticism just pops. He just moves differently than a lot of guys and so it’s ball pressure, but it’s also his brain, just his ability to see the pictures, jump a passing lane, help out at the right time. Really smart player and when you match that athleticism and speed and quickness with really high basketball IQ, it’s a great combination. Thank you.
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07:24 Hey Gary, Steve said you guys have stopped talking about turnovers, pretty much altogether and it’s worked. You guys have turned the ball over less. Psychologically, how does that sort of affect the team’s ability not turn over the ball?
07:37 GARY PAYTON II: It’s good. Three guys that are allowed to turn the ball over, not turning it over too much and everybody else don’t turn the ball over, so we can do that. We can keep stacking good possessions, good looks and, most of the times we come out with a good result.
07:54 Gary, what are the other factors? You guys have averaged 120 points a game over the last 11. I know turnovers are obviously a big factor there, but what else is going on that allows the offense to get going?
08:05 Just spacing. You talk about spacing a lot, getting spaced, giving room for guys to operate and if we create the good space and that’ll help us limit the turnovers and give guys room and opportunities to make plays. And we do that, we actually play really well basketball.
08:26 And how much does it help to have guys like Melt and Al coming in now and starting to play the way you guys need them to play?
08:33 It’s great. They’re vets so they know how to play and get to the rhythm and do what they need to do off the bench and succeed where we need in the areas that we lack. So it’s good to have a lot of guys that he can — Coach can put in and give a good production.
08:53 Gary, that last three minutes of that third quarter, what’d you see was going on there because it was was tight, 84-84, and you guys just busted game wide open.
09:02 Yeah, just coming out of that third quarter, try to stack up a couple stops, leading to the fourth. And then once we opened the fourth, we got a couple — a few stops and I wanna say it was Wardell who started off that quarter, about two threes. And we just got going and rolling, so after that point, the game just became easy.
09:22 You guys have won eight of the last 11 games. What makes you confident that you’re gonna be able to sustain this missed momentum moving forward?
09:28 Don’t turn the ball over.
09:33 What’d you think of Sacramento’s offense and what’d you guys do to slow them down in that second half?
09:37 Ah, just made it tough. It’s a lot of mid-range jump shooters over there. They’re gonna get to they spots. Just make it tough for them, box out, limit it to one-shot possessions and get out and run in transition. Other than that, just don’t let any defensive breakdowns happen, give up threes and whatnot and just know who we’re closing out to.
10:02 What does it do for you guys when Draymond hits a three?
10:05 Boom. That’s it. Get them going, get down, try to get the stop, probably get the stop the next possession and come back. And it leads to good things, so they’re gonna have to start inching out to him sooner or later, but if they not, you’re going to keep hearing a lot of booms. You guys are fabulous. Have a good weekend guys.
🫶💙💛