Rougher play? No problem
The Warriors, with their finesse-oriented players and infatuation for three-point shooting, are not considered one of the NBA’s more physical teams.
It is a reputation that wouldn’t seem to jibe with the errant elbows and lenient officiating that mark the NBA playoffs. A dogged defender in his own right, forward Andre Iguodala reckons that the Warriors actually stand to benefit from fewer whistles.
“I feel like for us, guys are always grappling and holding” in the regular season, Iguodala said after practice Saturday. “Steph (Curry) gets grabbed and held more than anybody I’ve seen, and they get away with it. It’s almost like we’re used to it. It’s kind of like we finally have the opportunity to be just as aggressive, and I feel like it works in our favor.”
Golden State finished 12th in the league, committing 19.3 fouls per game. It didn’t help that, as the championship favorites, the Warriors weathered plenty of errant elbows and nudging on the block.
Curry often endured the brunt of such tactics. In Golden State’s April 5 win over Phoenix, he was leveled by Suns center Alex Len while driving to the rim. Minutes later, Curry crumpled again after getting hit by Devin Booker on a layup attempt. Curry missed the next game with a bruised left knee.
“There’s a few players in the league that try to get into that grappling match with Steph,” Iguodala said. “They hold him. And he’s competitive, so he wants to pick them up fullcourt as well. The first time, it’s a foul. … You’ve just got to be smart about it, figure out how it’s being officiated and go from there.” Barnes out: Warriors forward Matt Barnes will miss Game 1 against Portland on Sunday with a sprained right ankle, head coach Steve Kerr said.
Barnes, who sustained his injury in the first half of the Warriors’ April 8 win over New Orleans, is no longer in a walking boot. Though he hoisted some shots the past couple of days, Barnes has yet to fully practice.
“Out for tomorrow, but progressing,” Kerr said. “We’ll see for Game 2.”
Because Golden State has two off-days before Game 2 on Wednesday, Barnes could conceivably get in enough practice to be available. His absence for Game 1 should bump Patrick McCaw into the second forward spot off the bench.
In 20 games with the Warriors, Barnes is averaging 5.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists.