Klay Thompson aims to improve after disappointing Game 2.
After an extra- long video session and practice Thursday afternoon, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told the assembled media just how his club plans to bounce back from the Game 2 loss Tuesday.
“We changed everything,” he said. “We put in the triangle on offense for Game 3, we’re going to play zone defense … and we’re not starting Steph” Curry.
Though Kerr was dead- panning, doing his best Gregg Popovich impersonation, shooting guard Klay Thompson was about 75 feet away — and was dead serious. He was the last player on the court, continually working on a stutter- step and pull- up three- pointer.
Thompson — as well as Kerr — knows the biggest change Golden State has to make in the now- tied series in Memphis on Saturday: Thompson has to play well.
Thompson was 1- of- 6 from three- point range and had five turnovers in the 97- 90 loss Tuesday. He finished with 13 points, and said he still hadn’t put the loss behind him.
“There’s no getting over a loss,” Thompson said Thursday. “I wasn’t happy with the way I played. But I came in today and tried to get some good shots up and flush it out of the way because it’s not the first one to two wins, it’s the first one to four.”
Thompson said he missed two open threes from the corner Tuesday, but that doesn’t bother him ( because it’s rare). What bugs him are the turnovers ( he had four in Game 1). The Warriors had 20 in Game 2.
“We can’t be giving the ball away against this team,” Thompson said. “They’re too disciplined.”
And the Grizzlies also have Tony Allen, who — as he repeatedly told Warriors players Tuesday night — is on the NBA’s All- Defense team. Thompson was 0- for- 5 on three- point tries while being defended by Allen, who also had four steals.
Thompson was asked about people saying that Allen was in his head.
“They know what I think now?” Thompson said. “Come on, man.”
Kerr said Thompson and Curry just need to stay out of Allen’s personal space.
“He’s smart and he’s quick … knows the angles and has quick hands,” Kerr said. “We tried to dribble too much in his space. The way to beat a good defender is good screening, good cutting and keep moving the ball.”
Kerr thinks his players can’t try to beat the Grizzlies off the dribble, especially because Memphis is so big inside. He wants the Warriors to win with patience and the extra pass.
“That’s kind of who we are anyway,” Kerr said. “Just have to get back to our identity.”
All jokes aside, Kerr isn‘ t going to change much in Game 3. In fact, he won’t even talk about Game 2 with the man who stayed late after practice.
“I leave him alone,” Kerr said. “Klay’s fine. ( He’s) a guy who can go nuts after a game like that. Showed him the tape. I’m not worried about him.”
No. 2 again: Draymond Green was not at all upset about coming in second for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. The Bulls’ Jimmy Butler “had my vote,” Green said. Green was also runner- up for Defensive Player of the Year, second to the Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard.