Preparing for either Clippers or Jazz next

PORTLAND, Ore. — In 1992, after graduating from the University of San Diego with a business degree, Warriors acting head coach Mike Brown organized team-sponsored camps for the Denver Nuggets as an unpaid intern. In those days, franchises had only three assistant coaches and one advance scout.

It was a far cry from the expansive staffs that now populate the NBA. The Warriors, for example, have six assistants and numerous scouts tasked with scouring the globe for the next draft-night steal. With so many employees, Golden State can devote a group of assistants and advance scouts to preparing for the team’s next opponent — whoever that might be.

After sweeping the Trail Blazers, the Warriors will face the winner of the Jazz-Clippers series in the Western Conference semifinals. Though Utah and L.A. are knotted at 2-2 entering Game 5 on Tuesday, one thing is certain: Golden State will be heavily favored against either club.

“Now, with the size of not only the coaching staff, but your scout staff, we’ve had a guy there the whole time,” Brown said of the Jazz-Clippers series. “Certain guys had certain teams (assigned to them), so those guys are watching their particular team, getting ready for the next round.”

The Warriors went a combined 6-1 against Utah and L.A. in the regular season. The lone defeat? A 105-99 home loss to the Jazz on April 10, after Golden State had clinched homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. Warriors guard Klay Thompson rested for that no-stakes game.

Between the two, the Jazz seem a tougher matchup for Golden State than the Clippers. Utah has center Rudy Gobert, perhaps Draymond Green’s biggest competition for Defensive Player of the Year, back from a knee injury. A grind-itout team, the Jazz have the size and interior defense to give the Warriors problems.

As for the Clippers? They have struggled this season to lend credence to the notion that they’re still one of Golden State’s main rivals. The Warriors have beaten the Clippers 10 straight times. In its four wins over L.A. in the regular season, Golden State had an average margin of victory of 21.5 points. It doesn’t help the Clippers that forward Blake Griffin will miss the rest of the playoffs with a toe injury.

Golden State, which again sat Matt Barnes (right ankle) and Shaun Livingston (right index finger) on Monday, will have plenty of time to rest achy muscles. Depending on whether the Utah-L.A. series goes six or seven games, the Warriors would have five to seven days to get ready.

“Everybody is kind of making sure that they’re kind of ready to go as soon as their series ends,” Brown said of preparing for the Jazz and Clippers.