DEEP TROUBLE?
Warriors’ bench could be big problem for Cavs
OAKLAND, Calif. — Golden State guard Shaun Livingston put up nearly 100 free throws at the end of practice Friday, and that is somewhere around his norm.
Cleveland might have built the most expensive roster in the NBA. Way out West, the Warriors developed arguably the league’s deepest and best bench with a group of hardnosed guys like Livingston who are eager to take the pressure off starters Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green whenever their names are called.
Or, when necessary, downright outplay the first unit on the league’s biggest stage.
This close-knit band of backups regularly discusses how dependable they must be, telling each other to stay ready for any role — even in the NBA Finals.
“When you see a guy down, you make sure you pick him up, and when you see a guy up make sure you keep him level-headed, because you never know what’s going to be next in this game,” Warriors backup center Marreese Speights said Friday. “When we’re at the gym, it’s, ‘Come on, let’s go get some shots,’ or hanging out on the road we sit down and talk about it, ‘We need each and every one of these players on this team to win another championship.’ Lunch, dinner, brunch, all that, we talk.”
The reliable reserves did just that Thursday night in a 104-89 victory to open the best-of-seven series, and
the Cavaliers have to be at least a little bit concerned going into the next game Sunday, knowing the Splash Brothers of Curry and Thompson will start sinking shots again soon enough.
Livingston played nearly 27 minutes in the opener of the rematch with his former Cleveland team and made 8 of 10 shots on the way to a postseason career-best 20 points. Leandro Barbosa made all five of his shots for 11 points, and 2015 Finals MVP Andre Iguodala contributed 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
“We’re not coming in to just give guys rest. We’re coming in to be productive and make plays and make things happen. It’s all about the mindset,” Livingston said.
So if worrying about Golden State’s stars wasn’t enough, now LeBron James and the Cavs have to figure out how to stop Golden State’s bench.
Livingston is the one who nine years ago nearly needed his left leg amputated after a gruesome knee injury suffered during a game while playing for the Clippers. His comeback has inspired Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
It was during his time with Cleveland at the end of the 2012-13 season that Livingston began to truly trust his body again. It was a long road emotionally and physically to reach that point, so much so that Livingston said it was “almost like I was a retired player.”
Now he’s on the court at Oracle Arena all smiles and gearing up for more when he gets his chance. Free throw after free throw.
“Shaun shoots the most. That’s how he keeps his rhythm,” Kerr said. “I think part of that is his injury history. He can’t afford to put a lot of wear and tear on his legs by shooting a ton of jump shots, so he shoots a ton of free throws.”
Livingston already proved his reliability this postseason when he stepped in for Curry as the MVP dealt with ankle and knee injuries that sidelined him for six games.
The 30-year-old Livingston scored 16 points in each of his three starts in place of Curry during Golden State’s 4-1 first-round series win against the Houston Rockets.
“Shaun’s a guy who has battled through much more than having to step up in a game,” Green said.