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Kendra Andrews, ESPN
LOS ANGELES — Like golden empire warriors coach Steve Kerr sweeps the locker room after Game 6 of the Western Conference semi-final, fatigue and disappointment evident on his team’s faces.
That’s it — the title defense mission of the Warriors ended with a loss 122-101 arrive Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, and they were left with all the follow-up questions.
Kerr told reporters after the game: “To be fair, I think this team has finally hit the max. “We barely made it to the knockout stages this year… This is not a championship team.”
That sentiment didn’t just come about because the Warriors were eliminated, they’ve won a streak of 28 consecutive playoff games with at least one lane win and 19 consecutive wins over Western Conference teams — both NBA records. .
The Warriors’ 11-30 record in the regular season is one reason this team lacks championship DNA. Then there are the repeated injuries Stephen’s Curry And Andrew Wiggins. The Warriors disconnect began at the beginning of the year and never fully recovered.
“From training camp to now, that’s just the reality we’ve been living with,” Curry said. “We’ve tried to keep things positive and optimistic around what we’re trying to accomplish this year… but there are people who understand that this isn’t enough.”
But Golden State kept its faith at playoff time – the second NBA season.
“We did a great job finding something here last month,” Kerr said. “We came close to taking back what we had, but we didn’t quite get there. We didn’t feel like a whole year championship team, but we had guts and bravery. to believe.”
“No opponent believes [you’re done] until you prove you’re not a championship team,” added Curry, “And that’s what gets you beaten in the playoffs.”
The Warriors’ locker room went into Game 6 completely opposite of their mood afterward. Music comes from a set of portable speakers. Players are dancing around. They are full of life. However, they left the game without any energy.
The Lakers’ lead rose to 17 points in the first game, matching the biggest deficit the Warriors faced in the first quarter of a knockout game under Kerr. They also led 17 in Game 6 of the 2018 Western Conference finals first Houston rocket. But in that game, they came back to win with a score of 29.
By mid-Friday of the first quarter, something finally happened for Golden State and the Warriors went on to run 23-10. But it’s not sustainable. During that time, they closed in on the Lakers but never took the lead. And by the time they had a chance to make another push, they were exhausted.
Curry scored 32 points on the 11/28 shot, doing everything in his power to extend the streak to seven games, but he didn’t get nearly enough help. Donte DiVincenzo was his only support system and with 16 points, was the only other double-digit scorer. The next highest scorers are Kevon Looney And Blue Draymond with nine each.
Klay Thompson only scored eight points, while Jordan Poole there are seven and Andrew Wiggins – who is battling a left rib cartilage fracture – six more. Wiggins can’t defend either LeBron James with the force needed to slow him down.
The warriors have nothing else to give.
Although the final series was lost to the Warriors in Game 6, Kerr said it was decided in Game 1 and 4 – two tight games the Warriors could have had but missed.
“No opponent believes [you’re done] until you are proven that you are not a championship team. And that’s how to beat in the playoff series.”
Stephen’s Curry
“I definitely think this team has maxed out,” Green said, agreeing with his coach. “It’s not a championship team… this is not a championship team like it is.”
Green said the Warriors have to get back to the drawing board this summer to retool and “figure out” how to get back to championship level.
But the man responsible for building Golden State’s championship roster over the past decade, general manager Bob Myers, has yet to come to a new contract agreement.
And as with Myers, Green’s status with the team is unclear. He has a selection of players waiting for him and told Andscape’s Marc J. Spears that he will take his time deciding his future. But he insists he wants to continue being a Warrior.
“That doesn’t mean our core has changed,” Green said. “That doesn’t mean our core can’t be remade. … We’re made up of champions.”
