The Chase Center roared with a uniform "MVP" cheer to celebrate Stephen Curry's career three-point shooting to break 3,000, celebrating Curry's all-time record of hitting at least one three-point tie in 157 consecutive games, and celebrating the Warriors' hope of catching up with a 24-point deficit at one point.
But in the end, even though Curry scored 15 points in the final quarter, the Warriors still lost to the Nuggets 86-89. Curry's outbreak in the last quarter was indeed the main reason for the Warriors to narrow the point gap, but without Draymond Green, who was known as the "heart of the Warriors", Curry only scored 8 points in the first three quarters like a lost soul, the Warriors were completely disorganized at both ends of the offensive and defensive ends of the entire first half, and their recovery in the second half was too late.
Throughout the game, the Warriors worked together in the second half to suppress the Nuggets' halftime score at 29 points, and they reduced the score of 100 rounds to 95.7 points, which is definitely an acceptable statistic, because the Warriors have conceded an average of more than 100 points per 100 times this season. In the absence of Green, the Warriors can play such defensive efficiency, which is definitely commendable.
However, looking at the final half of the fourth quarter, the Warriors lost points in three key sports battles because they were grabbed offensive rebounds by the Nuggets. Green wasn't there, and the Warriors were snatched up 12 offensive rebounds by their opponents today. The data shows that this season, green is on the floor, the Warriors defensive rebounding rate reached 76.2%, the league's top, and when he is not on the court, it drops to 72.5%. If Green can play today, the Warriors' defensive rebounds may not be snapped up.
Of course, the Warriors' problems are more on the offensive end. Why curry's first three quarters of the dud? Because the Nuggets had a clear goal in the first three quarters, that is, to use 2-3 people to fiercely pinch Curry and force him to pass the ball. Curry's defense of the Nuggets is difficult to get a good shot, he can not break through into the inside line, can not easily shoot three points, can only stand up to the defense again and again to shoot super far three points, the efficiency can be imagined.
Comparing the Warriors and Nuggets in April this year, you can see where the difference is. Today's Nuggets' defensive strategy against Curry is no different from the one in April this year, they took advantage of the Warriors' five-man shooting weakness on the court to frantically pinch Curry. The reason for the difference is that the Warriors won the Nuggets by 21 points in April and lost three points today, in large part because Green was not there.
Consider the April game, when Curry won the MVP game against Jokic and he scored 32 points in just 18 shots. In the first half, Curry was limited by the bag clip to score only 7 points, but in the second half he used Green's cover to either constantly fight with Green, or constantly run to contain the defense to play "Ku you gravity" to help Green lead the whole team, or use the no-ball running position to receive Green's pass and shoot. In that game, Green only made three shots to score two points, but he grabbed 12 rebounds and delivered as many as 19 assists.
'He knows the situation on the pitch, he knows where I'm, I don't think he's deliberately looking for my place, but I never doubt he can get the ball into my hands because he knows where I am.' Curry has praised Green for saying it's not unreasonable for the two of them to be called the league's most tacit duo.
But today is different, Green is not there, the Warriors pushed Juan Toscano Anderson to the starting position to replace Green. Anderson does have some sort of green in terms of play, but he's limited to being like, and he can't replace green. In the eyes of the outside world, Green's arc top cards, low position strategy, and cover are not difficult technologies, but in fact, if these can be perfect in the Warrior system, the whole league is probably only Green, because most people do not have the selfless and sacrificial spirit of Green.
Warriors reporter Sloter said on Twitter that Green triggered the health and safety agreement not to fight, and the Warriors' tactics were much less routine.
First of all, the Warriors' ace tactic "Library Chase and Demolition" can not play out, in the past, when Curry hit the pinch, he could give the ball to Green in time, and Green instigated the follow-up attack with more play and less. With Green as the best assistant around Curry, even if Curry does not score, the Warriors offense can blossom everywhere. But today Green is not there, the Nuggets are not afraid of Looney, Payton Jr., Anderson's ability to block and down, they can unscrupulously pack Curry.
Second, Green held the ball low on his back, and the rest of the Warriors at the top of the arc, no ball cover on the weak side, and running position were another set of main tactics for the Warriors. Green is not there, this set of tactics can not play out, Curry is difficult to get rid of the defense to form a direct shot, can only occasionally use the "library has gravity" to help teammates score sporadically.
In the last quarter and a half, except for the three-pointer in the last moment of the third quarter, Curry's other three-point shots are basically strong shots in the face of the change of defense, which is the embodiment of his personal ability, but this goal tests the feel, and the efficiency is not as efficient as the shooting opportunities that Green created for him through passing and covering. Green wasn't there, so in the end, when the Nuggets started to surround Curry again, Curry lost control of the game after handing over the ball and could only watch his teammates end the game and lose.
"Still wondering what Green means to this Warriors? Take a good look at this game, without him, the Warriors are lost on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends," Warriors reporter Letulno wrote on Twitter.
With Green averaging very few double-doubles per game, his value has been underestimated by many fans who only value panel stats. But in fact, high-level data shows that Green has always been an indispensable presence for the Warriors. After two years of silence, Green has given up drinking this season, regained his passion for playing and regained his all-around striker style.
Defensively, Green is the number one favorite for the Defensive Player of the Year award, and the Warriors defense centered on him currently plays the league's number one defensive efficiency, and Green has played many seasonal masterpieces when defending excellent interior lines such as Andre Ayton.
Green not only relies on technology to become the foundation of the Warriors' defensive end, his passion on the defensive end is also critical, Jordan Pooler, who has been sprayed by Green several times this season, once said that Green only asked his teammates to pay attention to details, do not let go of every detail that may affect the game, Green spray teammates are not the right people. Curry also praised Green, saying that Green's defensive presence and defensive IQ are always online.
Offensively, Green's 54.7% shooting percentage is a career high, averaging 7.5 assists per game, his aggression on the offensive end has increased significantly, and his desire to attack the basket is very strong. This season, when Green broke through, the Warriors scored a staggering 1.41 points per game, and of the 192 players who broke through at least 50 times, Green was far ahead of the no. 2 player.
This season, durant's strongest opponent in the MVP and scoring champions battle is Curry, and when people explore the secret of the Warriors' re-emergence this season, curry's strong performance will always be put first. However, Curry's competition for MVP and scoring champion is inseparable from the help of Green's superb assistant. Green is not a big star in the traditional sense of scoring, but he is still the warrior's most indispensable player, in every link outside of scoring, he did everything to help the Warriors.
It is said that Curry is subverting people's perception of basketball, and green is not the case, who said that the value of a player can only be measured by points?