Limping team has another big defeat
LOS ANGELES — As Warriors head coach Steve Kerr called a thirdquarter timeout Wednesday night, guard Jacob Evans and forward Juan ToscanoAnderson exchanged puzzled glances.
They had just tried to stop Lakers forward LeBron James on a drive to the rim, only for James to flip a pass behind his head at the last moment to guard Danny Green, who knocked down a wideopen corner 3pointer. Well on its way to a 12693 preseason loss to the Lakers at Staples Center, Golden State had long ago run out of answers for James’ wizardry.
This was to be expected for a Warriors team whose only available centers were trainingcamp invitees Marquese Chriss and Kavion Pippen. Without seven projected rotation players Wednesday, including Stephen Curry (rest), Golden State was little more than a test dummy for the turbocharged Lakers on Los Angeles’ path to a championshiporbust season.
By the time halftime arrived, the Lakers’ 26point lead had eradicated any doubt. All that was left was for Golden State’s unheralded supporting cast to try convincing Kerr it warrants rotation spots. Though D’Angelo Russell (23 points) flashed his potential as a playmaker and isolation scorer, the Warriors were forced to wrestle with a sobering reality: They are in trouble should Curry miss any time this season.
In this postKevin Durant era, Golden State will only go as far as Curry’s freeflowing brilliance takes it until Klay Thompson returns from a torn ACL after the AllStar break. Without the twotime MVP’s ability to draw defenses to midcourt, weave through a maze of opponents and infect his entire team with joy, the Warriors were decidedly predictable Wednesday, relying on Russell
pickandrolls and 3pointers from unproven gunners.
Jordan Poole, a revelation early in preseason, shot 2for9 from 3point range. Draymond Green wasn’t much better, going 4for14 from the field (0for5 from beyond the arc).
The good news for Golden State is that Alec Burks (ankle), Willie CauleyStein (foot), Kevon Looney (hamstring), Glenn Robinson III (flulike symptoms) and Omari Spellman (back) are expected back soon. Facing little resistance inside, the Lakersposted 66 points in the paint to the Warriors’ 36.
Only when Kerr’s center rotation doesn’t consist of a former lottery pick trying to resuscitate his career (Chriss) and an undrafted rookie (Pippen) will he know just what these Warriors can accomplish.
Gone are the days when an AllStar or two can miss a game and the Warriors breeze to a win. With Durant, Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston and Quinn Cook gone, the Warriors need to be at, or near, full strength to challenge an inspired, talented opponent.
And Alfonzo McKinnie might not make it to the regular season to help. With Chriss forcing his way into a 15man roster spot and the frontcourt depleted, McKinnie — the logical option to get cut in favor of Chriss because his contract is nonguaranteed until January — squandered a big opportunity, going scoreless in 23 minutes with five fouls.
The Warriors will close their preseason Friday against the Lakers at Chase Center. Curry will log meaningful minutes as Golden State tries to show that this should be considered more than a transitional year, even if few are giving it a shot to contend in a crowded Western Conference.