The Warriors' season begins on Tuesday in a do-or-die Western Conference play-in game against the Sacramento Kings, but manager Steve Kerr has veterans Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins on the line. It was a good performance to turn the season around for a team that is satisfied with the performance of its main players.
Speaking to the media on Monday ahead of Tuesday's 9-10 play-in tournament game, Kerr was asked what he thought the team's mood was heading into the most important period of the season.
“Our players are in a very good mental state,” Kerr said. “I think I may have talked about it after yesterday's game, but obviously we had a very good record in the second half of the season, probably around 27-12.
“We also had a very good balance both offensively and defensively within the top 10. We had all the characteristics of a really good team in the second half of the year, but more than that, we had We had guys like that. Wiggs and Klay got off to a slow start and Draymond was suspended and struggled early in the season.”
Coach Kerr went on to explain that he was pleased with how his team came together after a slow start to the season, with Green and Thompson making big strides in the second half and Golden State finishing with the fifth-best record in the NBA. I mentioned that. Since the All-Star break.
“So one of the things that I'm most happy about in this second half is the sense of ease and peace that each player is feeling,” Kerr said. “I think Draymond and Klay are in a great situation as opposed to earlier in the season, and that's important and it affects other guys as well. So I really think there's good chemistry on this team. . Draymond has been a great mentor to young players late this year.
“So it's not just our record and our offensive and defensive performance, it's the atmosphere, it's a good atmosphere, and obviously we're in a tough situation. We have to win two games to make it to the playoffs or whatever.” It can happen, but I truly believe in this group and I also believe in karma. I think this group has earned some good karma. ”
When asked what led to the Warriors' second-half breakthrough after a lackluster start to the season, Kerr once again cited the improvement of his two veteran stars.
“Draymond and Klay, I think it started with those two guys getting into the right headspace,” Kerr said.
“Honestly, they are Hall of Fame players and they have four banners here with Steph and Andre.” [Iguodala], that is the basis of the team. We have a lot of other contributors and players who played well and won championships for the Wiggs. [Kevon Looney] And the people who really contributed to this.
“But this team is a Steph, Klay, Draymond team, and the first half of the season, emotionally and mentally, neither of them were right, no matter how you want to say it. Once they turned the corner, It affected the whole team because that's how it works. Part of that is that our defense has gotten dramatically better, and that's where Draymond really shines. Not only his performance, but also his impact on his teammates and his approach to the second half of the season.”
Early in the season, Golden State struggled with consistency and fell behind the best teams in the Western Conference. Despite the early hole, the Warriors were able to claw their way back thanks to the improved play of Thompson and Green and finished the regular season on a high note.
Still, the late surge wasn't enough to regain the standings, leaving the Warriors with the No. 10 seed in the playoffs. That means they need to win two play-in games to secure the No. 8 seed and a spot in the last seven. series against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
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