Warriors see Lakers team that’s hungry for more titles
In a loaded Western Conference, one team stands above the rest. It’s the same team that stood above the rest last year.
If the Lakers were supposed to have a championship hangover, the headache and lethargy sure are taking a while to kick in. LeBron James and Co. are 11-3 and have the best point differential in the league.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr isn’t surprised. Winner of eight titles — five as a player and three as a head coach — Kerr knows all about what happens after a team wins it all. To him, this is part of the script.
“I do know that when a team wins a championship, generally they come back the next year with more confidence. I imagine that’s what’s happening with the Lakers,” Kerr said Saturday.”
On Sunday, with a bit more film study, he confirmed his initial suspicion and made a bold comparison between the Lakers and one of the greatest teams in NBA history.
“They have the confidence that comes with winning a championship, and they don’t have the fatigue that comes with winning multiple championships,” Kerr said. “This is really a sweet spot. It’s where we found ourselves the year we won 73.”
Stephen Curry knows about coming back from winning titles, too. He agrees with Kerr’s assessment.
“Once you get to that mountaintop, it’s an unreal feeling (and you) try to carry that over to the next season,” Curry said. “Obviously, the consistency of how they play, (their) chemistry, they have an identity and they know how to play off each other. Everyone’s playing a role and doing their part. It’s no coincidence how they’re starting off.” WISEMAN-GARNETT >> After recalling Kobe Bryant’s first meeting against Michael Jordan, Kerr was asked with whom he would like to connect another prodigiously talented youngster — Warriors rookie center James Wiseman.
Kerr didn’t hesitate — Kevin Garnett.
“KG is someone I’ve always admired, and if I ever get a chance to connect the two of them, I would do that,” the Warriors coach said. “KG was one of the best defensive players in the league, and he came in, like James, without any experience basically — straight from high school. James basically went straight from high school — he only played three college games.”
It’s a pairing that makes all the sense in the world, not only for the similarities in how they entered the league, but also in the way the two play the game. They’re rim-protectors who could knock down an outside shot and put the ball on the floor a bit, too.
Wiseman, when told of his coach’s comments, loved the concept.
“I choose KG, too,” Wiseman said. He could hardly contain his smile before taking on a serious note.
“I would ask him about the tenacity of the game,” Wiseman said, noting that he also wanted to know how Garnett approached each game and how he got better as a rookie.
Wiseman will have the opportunity to pick the brains of two other elite players tonight when the Warriors play LeBron James and Antony Davis.
Wiseman said he watched a lot of Davis growing up and that he studies his film, something he says will help him should the two be matched up against each other.
As for James, Wiseman, who was born in 2001, decided to make everyone feel old by noting that he started watching him only when he went to Miami.
“Obviously, couldn’t watch when he was younger,” Wiseman said. “I was, what, 2 or 3 years old?”
Yes you were, James. Thanks for reminding everyone that they were not.