For an old Warrior, it was excruciating to watch my Warriors get beat down they way they were by the mountain Griz - 7'4 Eddy and 6'11 Jackson & company. The Warriors addition of Denis Schroder didn't improve the recent Warriors' skid = 2 out of 11. Coach Kerr is a patient and intelligent man, so I was not surprised when he did not fall on his sword after the game. However, he must be wondering. The initial idea of surrounding Steph Curry with a group of solid veteran players seemed to work at first, but in the last 14 games, it is not proving to be as effective as it did earlier in the season. I suspect this has a lot to do with opposing coaches figuring out defenses to challenge that group-win strategy. It seems to me the Dubs' hierarchy are back to the drawing board, or should be.
These are their options going forward as I see them:
1) They can continue to tinker. Schroeder is a good pickup. Put Kuminga back as a starter. (He appears to have a "starters ego," Perhaps they should bring in another 3 point shooter? God knows, the NBA is 3 point shooting game these days. Then hope last years' talented draft choices, who had such successful freshman seasons, perk up the rest of their sophomore year. Does that get them to the conference finals?
2) Trade your rising stars for a couple of veteran all-stars such as Jimmy Butler or Branden Ingram, who seem to possibly be available. Add to that another big like the Bulls' Vucevic or a banger like Wizards' Valancuinas. Do either of these possibilities guarantee the Dubs can get to the conference finals? Perhaps with either Butler or Ingram. But obtaining either of these two players is going to require the Warriors give up their young core and I suspect first round draft choices as well. Giving up first round draft choices is totally risky for a team with its stars close to retirement.
So, what's the third option?
3) The Warriors would have to make a very, very tough decision to strategize for the future: Trade their stars while they are still valuable for first-round draft choices and/or first year and second year players with potential or both. If you out there in hoop-land ask me, do I mean Steph Curry? I'm afraid I am saying exactly that. Curry is the one major guaranteed asset the Warriors have. Imagine what teams would give up to have a star like Steph on their team, even for only a couple of years. Then ask yourself what you could get for Draymond and Wiggins? Enough said, I'm hearing the slings and arrows coming my way. I'm only pointing out options. Frankly, I'm not sure Curry would be that upset. Steph knows basketball, and growing up in an NBA family understands the league. He is a realist. I'm reminded of the Godfather l scene when Michael Corleone is speaking to his brother, "It's not personal, Sonny, it's business."
I don't see a fourth option. Maybe there are other players like Butler and Ingram, that are game changers. I can't think of any. Am I being disloyal suggesting the third option? I don't think I am. As much as I adore Curry and understand what he has done for the Warriors. My loyalty is for the team I played for and that honored my number by retiring it and placing it in the rafters. I remember back in my playing days, at the height of my career, Coach Alex Hannum, whom I greatly admired, saying to me, "Tom, you know I love your game and think highly of you, but make no mistake, if I could make my team a contender for a championship by trading you, I would do it." I was certainly startled, but after thinking about it, it made perfect sense. Team is Everything.
REMEMBERING STEPH CURRY by Tom Meschery
Timing, and the stars. This morning I’m still seeing
Curry’s three float through the sky of the arena
Reminding me of a lesson in geometry:
An arc is a segment of the circumference
Of the circle – from foot (the flat plane of release)
That travels in silent degrees over the moon.
That it drops into the hoop is a matter
Both of mathematics and imagination.
