The Warriors listened to Kerr’s plea even as Steph struggled in the loss first appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – Eight different ones Warrior combined to take 24 shots Monday night before Stephen Curry took his first, a wayward 3-point attempt 85 seconds into the second quarter.
This is not what Warriors coach Steve Kerr in mind in recent days while reminding Curry’s teammates that the two-time NBA MVP is the team’s offensive player.
However in the flow of this game, this opposite approach seems to make sense. Considering the amount of attention Curry is getting from the Indiana Pacers, his teammates have clear views. He knows it and becomes more cunning than he does, more passer than shooter. He has filled that role many times in his 16-year NBA career, so this is nothing new.
It wasn’t until the 24th minute, with 41.1 seconds left in the third quarter, that Curry made his first shot, a three-pointer from the right wing, cutting Golden State’s deficit from nine to six (89-83) and bringing the crowd to he sold anxiety (18,064) ) at the Chase Center to his feet.
That shot provided enough spark to lift the Warriors from an extended slog, sparking a lingering fourth quarter before it became clear that Curry or his teammates didn’t have what it took to finish off the Pacers.
Even with the Warriors digging in and tightening their defense in the final 12 minutes, Indiana had enough to kill it 111-105. The Pacers outscored Golden State 14-8 over the final 4:43 to run their unbeaten streak at the Chase Center to six games.
Haunted by Indiana bulldog guard Andrew Nembhard, who had a lot of help, Curry finished with 10 points on 2-of-13 shooting from the field, including 2-of-9 from beyond the arc.
“Tough night for him,” Kerr said. “It happened.”
Curry didn’t make himself easy, admitting that his game, despite his fantastic finish Saturday in Minnesota, lacked its usual perfection.
“It can be better, and it will be,” he said. “We’re being protected in a way, but it’s nothing I’ve never seen before. You just have to understand when to pick and choose your sites based on the attention you get. Get the ball moving, try to find a city a little further.
“That might be a bit of an adjustment, but it’s something I’ve been through and always try to find a way to change.”
There was a silver lining in the defeat. The Warriors, across the board, are playing with speed and moving the ball. That’s Kerr’s goal in moving his players, especially youngsters Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski to remember that the offense is driven by Curry’s gravity. Your presence, even when your gun is not available, is always important.
Curry is the only Golden State starter to finish with a positive plus/minus (plus-6). He had seven assists on a night when the Warriors shot 43.3 percent from the field.
“I thought we had good looks for most of the game,” Kerr said. “Our guys played really good basketball for good stretches. It was a slow start, with changes. But we said that it was resolved quickly. Our guys competed and had chances but they couldn’t put the ball in the basket.”
Kuminga plays at a level that, if frequent, can lead to a big money future. He made a questionable decision, but mostly emphasized his strengths and used them. He finished with a game-high 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 2-of-3 from deep. He had four assists and just one turnover.
This was one of those games when none of the battle-tested players in the Warriors’ lineup — Andrew Wiggins and Curry — shipped with the game on the line. They were a combined 3-of-12 from the floor in the first quarter.
“We have some small assets,” Kerr said. “But all in all, very good views. I love the way the guys compete and stick together. . . he just couldn’t hit the shots to win the game.”
Curry usually takes that. He didn’t do that.
“I have to play well – and I will,” he said. “But overall, we just have to maintain our confidence in what we do and not have those little spurts where we give a team life.”
There will definitely be nights when Curry is at his best. Much better. But if the Warriors are to earn their way into the postseason, he will still need plenty of help. A leader, no matter how great, always needs a strong supporting cast to succeed.
