That’s a really good point. Everyone involved - players, coaches, refs, fans, analysts, concession stand workers, uncontacted tribes in the Amazon - know Looney is all that now stands between Sabonis completely dominating Game 3 like an overzealous dad dunking on a group of first graders.
So what’s Kerr’s plan? Well, continue pressuring Sabonis to neutralize the DHO with Looney I assume, but even with Looney splitting time with Green, he still ended up with 5 fouls and he’s not going to last 40 minutes on Sabonis by himself anyway. Plus with Green gone, they just don’t have the height or willingness to commit felony assault needed to contain Sabonis as they did with relative success in the first two games.
Perhaps Kuminga takes a giant leap in badassery going All-Madden on defense for a night. But I’m not putting all my chips on that number and I doubt Kerr is either. There’s also Jamychal Green who’s played all of one minute this series; I figure he’s worth throwing in for 6 fouls at the very least.
After that? I don’t know, throw Wiggins at him?
I mean, on paper, there isn’t a path here besides riding Looney as long as possible, throwing in Kuminga and J. Green for different looks and 12 fouls, maybe constant doubles forcing a kick out to Heurter and Murray who have struggled all series … and plot for Sabonis to get into foul trouble.
And I think that’s the real scheme, which means, as you said, mobbing Sabonis on defense with double teams, and driving into the paint early to challenge Sabonis on the other end getting him to rack up fouls defending the rim. There’s been a media blitz by the Warriors targeting Sabonis specifically for a reason, and it has little to do with defending Green’s typical antisocial antics. They’ll take their chances with a Curry/Thompson vs Fox/Monk shootout, especially if the refs are going to help provide the spacing. Sabonis is the fly in the ointment of their “Splash Brothers’ rain parade to the rescue” plan.
But I’m hoping, even if they successfully deal with Sabonis, Heuter and Murray will make them pay, Brown will still march out Len, Metu, and even Holmes to continue exploiting the Warriors abject refusal to bring on anyone above 6”9’
Either that or just let Fox and Monk take over again and shove the Warriors small ball style right back down their throat.
Aside: I asked the Warriors fans on the group chat about their thoughts defending Sabonis with Looney, Kuminga, J. Green, and Wiggins. The only response I got was “No cowbell, no win.”
They’re shell shocked right now.
So what’s Kerr’s plan? Well, continue pressuring Sabonis to neutralize the DHO with Looney I assume, but even with Looney splitting time with Green, he still ended up with 5 fouls and he’s not going to last 40 minutes on Sabonis by himself anyway. Plus with Green gone, they just don’t have the height or willingness to commit felony assault needed to contain Sabonis as they did with relative success in the first two games.
Perhaps Kuminga takes a giant leap in badassery going All-Madden on defense for a night. But I’m not putting all my chips on that number and I doubt Kerr is either. There’s also Jamychal Green who’s played all of one minute this series; I figure he’s worth throwing in for 6 fouls at the very least.
After that? I don’t know, throw Wiggins at him?
I mean, on paper, there isn’t a path here besides riding Looney as long as possible, throwing in Kuminga and J. Green for different looks and 12 fouls, maybe constant doubles forcing a kick out to Heurter and Murray who have struggled all series … and plot for Sabonis to get into foul trouble.
And I think that’s the real scheme, which means, as you said, mobbing Sabonis on defense with double teams, and driving into the paint early to challenge Sabonis on the other end getting him to rack up fouls defending the rim. There’s been a media blitz by the Warriors targeting Sabonis specifically for a reason, and it has little to do with defending Green’s typical antisocial antics. They’ll take their chances with a Curry/Thompson vs Fox/Monk shootout, especially if the refs are going to help provide the spacing. Sabonis is the fly in the ointment of their “Splash Brothers’ rain parade to the rescue” plan.
But I’m hoping, even if they successfully deal with Sabonis, Heuter and Murray will make them pay, Brown will still march out Len, Metu, and even Holmes to continue exploiting the Warriors abject refusal to bring on anyone above 6”9’
Either that or just let Fox and Monk take over again and shove the Warriors small ball style right back down their throat.
Aside: I asked the Warriors fans on the group chat about their thoughts defending Sabonis with Looney, Kuminga, J. Green, and Wiggins. The only response I got was “No cowbell, no win.”
They’re shell shocked right now.
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