Kurtenbach
district, they no longer can communicate, rotate, or anticipate.
This isn't just a small quirk. The difference between the Warriors' defense at home and on the road is chasmic.
The Warriors have the thirdbest home defensive rating in the NBA: 108.1. On the road, they have the third-worst defensive rating on the road: 119.3.
An 11-point delta per 100 possessions is beyond the pale. It's why the Warriors — who have only lost seven games all season at home — have seven wins on the road.
It's the reason this team is fighting for any postseason berth instead of home-court advantage in
the playoffs.
It's indecorous of a defending champion. It's so ridiculous it deserves ridiculous explanations. Here are a few I have concocted:
• Joe Lacob, riddled by luxury tax, opted not to buy the roaming plan for his defense this season
• The Dubs have a form of lowgrade Havana Syndrome — but it only shows up when they leave San Francisco. Call it Castro Syndrome. Maybe this is why Green said “I have a hard time getting out of my bed in March” on Thursday.
• Can we be sure this isn't an elaborate, cruel practical joke on Steve Kerr?
The Warriors have games with the Bucks and Suns looming on Saturday and Monday (albeit perhaps sans Giannis Antetokounmpo and certainly sans Kevin Durant).
The way the Warriors have played all season, I'd expect the Dubs to bring their true A-game for those matchups. They might even win them.
But it doesn't matter. Those games will be at home.
You can only win a title by winning games on the road. The Warriors know — they have won a road game in 27 straight playoff series, an NBA record.
And this team can't win on the road. The problem has reached the point where if Golden State even makes the playoffs, the Warriors will be playing the majority of their games on the road.
The Warriors have eight road games remaining. They can't undo the preceding 33 road games, but it's never too late for that turnaround — or for Lacob to add that roaming plan.