bdonovan
03-18-2023, 01:00 AM
Living overseas now, I don't get to watch too many NBA games; I do catch Warriors highlights on YouTube and the occasional game on NBA League Pass. Seeing the Warriors defensive decline in the box scores, I assumed the problem was the backup unit, or perhaps noobs like Kuminga.
But when I watched, I was stunned to see how many defensive lapses were committed by veterans like Klay Thompson. Multiple times, Klay was switched off his man and didn't guard the 2nd guy (he should have switched onto). Like routine mistakes that rookies make, not veterans.
It got me thinking about how in the past, Draymond was constantly yelling at his teammates (except Curry) about defensive lapses. The team resented him and I just assumed Draymond took things too far in chastising his teammates. Now I realize he was actually the linchpin on D, not just with his own activity but in constantly coaching the others.
Ever since Draymond punched Poole, I get the impression Warriors coaching has told Draymond to back off confronting teammates. I don't see him getting in people's faces and correcting them. Without his jawing, the Warriors D will sink to mediocrity and below.
The Warriors won the championship last year- making the players even less likely to want a teammate in their face. Draymond's erosion of his own standing by decking Poole just made things worse. Amusing to think that Klay was a standout defender only when Draymond was telling him what to do all the time. I see the same lapses by Looney, Lamb and others- they have all taken a step back.
But when I watched, I was stunned to see how many defensive lapses were committed by veterans like Klay Thompson. Multiple times, Klay was switched off his man and didn't guard the 2nd guy (he should have switched onto). Like routine mistakes that rookies make, not veterans.
It got me thinking about how in the past, Draymond was constantly yelling at his teammates (except Curry) about defensive lapses. The team resented him and I just assumed Draymond took things too far in chastising his teammates. Now I realize he was actually the linchpin on D, not just with his own activity but in constantly coaching the others.
Ever since Draymond punched Poole, I get the impression Warriors coaching has told Draymond to back off confronting teammates. I don't see him getting in people's faces and correcting them. Without his jawing, the Warriors D will sink to mediocrity and below.
The Warriors won the championship last year- making the players even less likely to want a teammate in their face. Draymond's erosion of his own standing by decking Poole just made things worse. Amusing to think that Klay was a standout defender only when Draymond was telling him what to do all the time. I see the same lapses by Looney, Lamb and others- they have all taken a step back.