Green almost averaged a triple-double (18.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, 9.5 assists, 2.5 steals) in Golden State’s 3-1 week….
Advertisement
Los Angeles Lakers enthusiasts aren’t known for being the sports world’s most loyal fans.
But after playing a significant part in Golden State’s first championship win in 40 years and subsequently helping the team achieve a 33-2 regular season record, there really isn’t a reason to blame Thompson for finding the confidence he lacked in the beginning of the season as he did his best to work through a lingering back injury. Coming off a thoroughly dominant year that ended in 67 wins, an MVP Award for Stephen Curry and a championship for the Dubs, the Warriors might be in store for an even greater season this year.
Walton also knows Steph wouldn’t be Steph if it was that easy to keep him off the court.
Klay Thompson was on fire early scoring 22 points in the opening quarter and set up the eventual blowout of the Los Angeles Lakers, 109-88 on Tuesday (Wednesday in Australia).
This time, his shin hit the leg of Lakers center Roy Hibbert. Curry is certainly an essential part of the Warriors team but they are 33-2 and three and a half games clear of the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference right now so resting the injury might be in his, and the teams, best interest.
“It’s frustrating and annoying”, Curry said. His ability to start the Warriors’ transition offense off a rebound helps Curry and Klay Thompson (who is quietly putting together another All-Star-caliber season, by the way) find shots that they wouldn’t normally get had Green not pushed the pace.
“I’m not going to sit out four weeks, so we’ve just got to figure out how to protect it when I’m out there on the floor and keep playing.”
“I was joking with PG, just telling him how it was old times”, Bosh said.
The Warriors led 92-60 heading into the fourth, where they had a gluttony of garbage time and closed out a rather comfortable win against a hapless Lakers squad. Black last featured in a game on November 24, which happened to be in Oakland against the same Warriors team.
When looking for positive in defeat, Clarkson finished with 23 points in 29 minutes.
“I played with a guy like that”, added Walton, likening Curry to Kobe Bryant.
Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb each scored 22 points for the Hornets, who have lost a season-high four straight games. The other player to do it was Russell Westbrook, who had four in a row last season. Los Angeles visits the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, while Golden State plays the Trail Blazers at Portland on Friday.
Advertisement
“We were very pleased on the offensive end, but not so much on the defensive end”, said Walton, whose club shot 51.7 percent overall. Lou Williams scored 10 points, all on free throws, as he was 0 of 7 from the field.
