Dominant performance in Denver is something to savor.
Kerr says his team’s 142-111 win in Denver was ‘as good as it gets’
OAKLAND >> The Warriors took the floor Wednesday night with a tough act to follow.
Twenty-four hours earlier in Denver, this is what they had done:
• Scored 51 points in the first quarter, the most any NBA team ever has scored in the first quarter.
• Made 10 3-point shots, one short of the NBA record for the first quarter.
• Made 23 3-point shots, one short of the franchise record set this season in Chicago.
• Scored a 142-111 victory at Denver, replacing the Nuggets as the top team in the Western Conference (by record).
“It’s beautiful, beautiful basketball,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “I just like the way our guys moved the ball, a lot of shot fakes and playing with purpose and playing with a simple style of execution but being aggressive at the same time. Finding that balance is always what we’re looking for. That was as good as it gets.”
Not only did the Warriors take over the No. 1 spot in the conference standings, run their winning streak to five and avenge an October loss in Denver, but they also made a statement.
The Warriors have four fully healthy and engaged All-Stars in
Stephen Curry (31 points), Klay Thompson (31), Kevin Durant (27) and Draymond Green (four points, season-high 13 assists). They are planning to add a fifth All-Star on Friday night when DeMarcus Cousins plays his first game in almost a year.
The Warriors downplayed any talk of having sent a message.
Asked if the Warriors had issued a reminder about who is the champ, Durant replied: “I think they know who we are.”
“We’re way past making statements,” Curry added. “We know
what type of team we are and what we are capable of. There’s no doubt in our locker room that when we play like we did tonight, we are the best team in the league.”
Was it their best game of the season?
Green pondered that question for a moment.
“I don’t know if it was our best game, but it was a damn good one,” he said. “We had some pretty good games to start the season. I’d have to look back and look into some of those. This was a damn good one and the best we’ve had in a while.”
Here is what the record shows. The Warriors won 10 of their first 11 games, but only their seasonopening victory against Oklahoma City could be considered a signature win.. The Warriors’ most-lopsided victory was 38 points against the Chicago Bulls, hardly quality competition. Meanwhile, the Nuggets entered the game with the Western Conference’s best record. THE BEST FOUR-POINT GAME EVER? >> Green had a +41 rating and his 13 assists were a season high for him.
“He’s just been better in the halfcourt,” Durant said. “Teams are going to play off of him and he knows exactly what he needs to do in order for him to be effective on the offensive side. If they’re going to guard him, he’s setting screens and rolling to the rim. He’s making those cross-court passes. That’s’ what he loves to do. I think he’s figured out how to be himself no matter what the defensive scheme is.”
In 17 games since returning from a right toe injury, Green has averaged 6.9 assists. Green reiterated that his conditioning has continued to improve recently, but he simply has followed an old adage.
“They’re always going to give me something,” Green said. “Keep it simple and try to take whatever they give us.”
“There’s not a lot of guys that can guard him the way he pushes the floor,” Curry said. “He has shooters all over the floor. It’s another level.”
BACK TO THAT FIRST QUARTER ... >> Durant made all seven of his shots, including three from long, for 17 points. Thompson made 6 of 7, including 3 of 4 from long, for 13 points. Curry made four of 6 shots for 12 points.
“I’ve seen them do it so many times, but it’s hard to have quarters like that,” Thompson said. “There’s a reason it’s only been done in NBA history for the first quarter, at least. That was pretty crazy.”
The Warriors made only 10 turnovers, one in the first quarter. They had 38 assists on 57 field goals, including 15 assists in the first quarter on 19 baskets.
AND NOW, HEEEEERE’S BOOGIE >> And to think, if the Warriors looked this dominant against the Western Conference’s previously best team, how are they going to look once Cousins joins them?
“Very excited to get it going. Adding Cuz to the lineup and to this team is amazing,” Green said. “One of the best talents we got in this league. Definitely looking forward to it. Hopefully it’s devastating for everybody else.”
Curry argued that “any time is a good time” for Cousins to join the team. But Kerr sounded aware of the benefits of incorporating him while the team is playing at its best.
“More than anything, we’re excited for DeMarcus,” Kerr said. “It helps we’re playing well and we can plug him in and try to keep things simple. It’ll take some time to get his rhythm. He’s coming off a year with a very serious injury. Coming to a new team. It’ll take some time. We’ll help him along and we’re all very excited about it.”