I'm stunned, bros. Completely misjudged this series. Thought KD would be ready for G3, G4 at the latest. If he's not byke in Toronto Monday, series is over. Didn't think Raps would win either game at Oracle. That obviously changed when the medical staff went conservative and sat out Klay for G3. But still, the Dubs's G4 performance is that last thing I saw coming. Had them evening 2-2 for sure. Don't know what happened to Steph. Spazzed in G3 with no offensive help. Last night he looked hesitant and gun-shy offensively. 0-5 from downtown at one point. Got decent looks too, shots he normally makes from deep. Not many are pointing out the lackadaisical defense, which is just as important if not more so.
GSW became known for their vaunted third-quarter runs of dominance. They were -16 in the third last night. Changed the entire complexion of the game. Steph couldn't hit shots and Golden State's team defense couldn't or didn't get stops. To the same point, Dubs were -5 in the third quarter in G3. What happened to those 18-0 runs we became accustomed to seeing, like in G2?
Where the hell did that Ibaka performance come from? Man's turned back the clock to his OKC days. He was looking borderline unplayable in G2, TBH. Ibaka's help defense near and around the basketball has been an extremely crucial, series-turning impact for the Raps getting stops. Boy got eight blocks in the last two games alone. Plus, the offense is an added bonus. You're in trouble if Serge is gonna hit his pick-and-pop, PnR jumpers. Plus he finished some crafty baskets near the cup also.
I have to ask, are the Dubs supporters being overly hopeful? What have we seen through four games that indicates the GSW can win three in a row to flip the script. With two of those games in Toronto. With no assurance KD plays G5 or at all. Even with Thompson and Loon byke, what does Kerr have up his sleeve that can or will turn the tide Monday? Perhaps a small-ball, death lineup with Dray at the 5. Relegate "Boogie" to the bench for less minutes. But then Nurse probably just counters with Ibaka for Gasol. Maybe slow down the pace and limit possessions, but then again, that's not really GSW's offensive style of play. So now you're considering to play out of character. I don't have the answers, man. It doesn't look good unless we get some form of guarantee that Durant is a go for Monday. Even then, Kawhi been surgical with his 30+ points per game. I don't see him or the Toronto squad becoming complacent or dropping their guard. Dubs are gonna have to take this Finals away with sheer force and will. I don't know if Golden State has it in them after the G4 debacle on their home floor. Dray talked at length post-game after G3 that the Warriors would go three in a row, with or without Durant. Time to lock in and do what champions do. Team defense was absolutely not what I expected in the second half of G4. That's not how you defend your banner at Oracle. I give Klay and Loon major props for playing, and playing well given the injury circumstances.