Trying to win the battle in order to lose the war: kerr and art of losing

If, by miracle, the Warriors win this game, they will absolutely blow the Raptors out in game 6 in Oracle. You don't even have to think about that one. I would rate that bet a 9 out of 10. The Raptors are not going back to Oracle and winning. 

So if there is a game 6, the W's will show no mercy? I can't blame Golden State fans for acting so entitled after winning the DECADE, but this isn't your year. 

Give it up BB.

Therein lies the problem, Dave. I'll use my response to you to more so respond to BB.

BB, these guys are human beings. You don't force a guy to go if it can potentially harm him in the long run. I think the decision to sit Klay probably was above even Steve Kerrs pay grade. The ownership group may not be sure about KD's future but they've been pretty adament that they are sure of Klay's future. Klay has been a tank over the course of his career. You don't jeopardize his durability. And more specifically, you don't open a brand new, very expensive, privately funded arena with now two injury prone splash brothers. Likewise, as a coach, you don't tank a guy in a playoff game that you are competing in. Even when you know your chances of winning are slim and that you could be potentially jeopardizing "the War". Talk about being crucified. Bench Steph early in game 3 and see what happens.

The Warriors' do have a problem. And it can be blamed on the coaches. And the GM. And it's something that i've always known existed yet never realized how much of an issue it was until now. The Raptors' have made it glaring, and not so much with their defense. With their offense.

Golden State is one of few teams, if not the only, and definitely the only playoff team, that regularly puts a lineup all the floor with multiple players who are not scoring options. Even Philadelphia's Ben Simmons, who is criticized for being a guard who can't shoot, is still expected to score. He needs to develope a shot but for now he scores around the basket. Now let's look at this Raptor team. Every man can get a bucket. Their three bigs all routinely hit 3s. And Gasol and Ibaka, specifically, aren't Joel Embiid types content to hang out at the 3pt line. They are bangers in there for defense but they can get a bucket. The Warriors on the other end, are a team built around three prolific scorers who are expected to do the bulk of the scoring. And this is deeply flawed. This is not "strength in numbers"........

This didn't start this series, and it didn't start with KD. It's deeply rooted in this run. Andrew Bogut was never asked to score much. And this was fine. It was a novelty. The idea being that in theory, this team should score enough for him to not need to score. Just protect the rim. Anchor the paint. At the time, Draymond was still a viable scoring option. This was always destined to fade though. You can blame KD but that fact is his shot is too broken to be a wing scorer. He's too short and unathletic to be a post scorer. Draymond's strength is his mind. So he became a facilitator and defensive specialist. And this was fine. Then you had aging key reserves Iguodala and Livingston. Iguodala has not been a primary scorer in quite some time and never with the Warriors. He's another high IQ ball handler, a defensive specialist with an iffy jumpshot. It's hot and cold at best. In the Hampton 5 line up, his role is akin to Draymond's. Facilitate the offense and play defense. He's not expected to score much. This is not the Hampton's 5 lineup though. He is playing KDs position in a traditional lineup. He has to score. In game 4 he had 3 points on 1-7 shooting. And sadly, the lack of attempts is more alarming than the lack of makes. And Livingston got old in the off season. It was bad enough that he was a guard that refused to shoot 3pt shots (look up his attempts). This used to be mitigated by a short to mud-range jumper that was near automatic. Old legs shoot flat shots though. And while he was OK in game 5, he has not been a consistant scoring option.

Kerr obviously thought he would have klay,looney and kd back for game 4 and drop an atomic bomb on the raptors. Sadly, kd didnt suit up, and they simply didnt have enough weapons... I guess this explains his decision to let curry pad his stats on g3

So what could've been done differently? Under their current salary structure, not much. They could've resigned Javale Mcgee instead of taking a flyer on Boogie Cousins....as a rehab project....for twice the money. Boogie helped them win one playoff game and has been an embarrassment in the rest. He's look slow and out of shape. And clumsy. He can barely get his arms over his head.

They could've gave Swag a one-year contract. He's been literally on the couch and would've offered both points off the bench and a starter for Klay in game 3. They could've tried harder to retain Patrick McCaw, who is now languishing in Toronto.

They could've better prepared their youth and empowered them instead of relying on aging veterans afraid to shoot. Go back and watch game 3. Watch guys pass the ball back and forth like a hot potato. Iggy and Livingston are literally afraid to shoot. Look at the footage. Look at their shot attemps for games 3 and 4.

As far as the Raptors defense, they are really good but they haven't done anything special. Double the primary scores. When the Warriors double, the open man hits the shot. Gasol, Ibaka, Siakam, Van Vleet....Danny Green! When Toronto doubles, the open man either bricks or is afraid to shoot. Depth was the knock on this team before the season started and now that lack if depth had come home to roost.

I think he has stopped developing and preparing players, BB. You have called him lazy and maybe that was it. The lineups he has fielded have been lazy. Boogie: I have this image of him throwing his hands up and saying, "Well, we brought him here to play. He's a star. He has to play." Livingston: "Well he's been here. He's earned it. He starts!" Nevermind he's old. He doesn't shoot 3s and his midrange has gone flat. Sanz KD, i'm now convinced that Toronto is the better team. "Team". Yet with proper coaching it could've been a very interesting series.

For example, in game 4 I would've like to to see Draymond bring the ball up every offensive series with Steph playing off ball. It keeps Draymond involved in the way he is acustomed to and leave Steph free to move without the ball, his strength. Draymond could pick a defense apart with cutting players and they's never double him because he's not a scoring threat. When Steph would bring it up they would trap immediately forcing him to pick up his dribble and then what do you do? Kick it to Draymond for a jumper? Iggy. Livingston for 3? Oh yeah. HE DOESN'T SHOOT THEM!!!

I think he'll be underrated no more after this playoffs.